WE have almost become inured to the effects of vandalism. But when new figures show that nearly 1,000 burglary, arson and vandalism attacks have devastated local schools over the last year, the message still hits home hard.

No local school, primary or secondary, in the borough is unaffected by these stupid, selfish acts.

Plainly, the situation is spiralling out of control -- and it is the ordinary council taxpayer who must pay the initial price.

The eventual price, very sadly, will be paid by our children. They will be missing out on resources at school -- books, facilities, probably even teachers -- because individual school budgets are being used to repair our damaged and battered local education buildings.

As Bolton Council assistant director of education Chris Swift explains quite simply, while the cash cost to schools is significant, "you cannot cost the lost time and opportunities.

Unfortunately, it is a matter of some irony that a proportion of these same children whose lives and development are affected by these regular incidents are also the perpetrators.

These children have parents, some of whom are bound to be concerned with their youngster's education. So, it may be time to ensure that they respect their parental responsibilities by hitting them where it really hurts: in the pocket.

When such crimes against the community are so widespread and costly, both in cash and quality of life, then it is time to act.

A system of realistic fines for parents of children who commit these almost casual criminal acts might well ensure that they DO know where their children are, and what they are doing.

And this should also apply to parents of youngsters who are under 10 and therefore below the age of criminal responsibility.

In the meantime, it is important that local residents who know the identity of these young criminals are not afraid to tell the authorities. The Crimestoppers' number is 0800-555111, and it can be rung anonymously.

Rink would be a plus

THE call by Bolton Heritage campaigners for a skating rink inside the threatened Crook Street bus depot sounds like a good idea.

Family-friendly attractions are not numerous enough in the town centre, so an ice or roller skating rink would be a real plus for Bolton.

The Navada rink was especially popular and many would welcome a new one -- saving an interesting old building at the same time.