vandals.

[maggie01]

I have just been to Porsmouth City Centre, and all the parking machines have been vandalised in one car park.They still had an attendant collecting parking fees and he said that whoever did this had just smashed them but hadn't taken any money. This is a fairly new car park, handy for the shops. I Just don't understand why they do this. Its senceless!

[littleoldme]

Exactly, Maggie. I can almost understand (never condone, just understand) crimes where the perpetrator gets some personal gain from the deed, but I can't understand the fascination of vandalism...and in a case like this, where they could easily have taken money if they'd wanted to, it seems even more stupid. What on Earth do they get out of it, other than satisfying some primitive urge to destroy?

I'm in Portsmouth at the moment too BTW, but a little bit away from the city centre (just as well, it would seem).

[Chessman]

This actually a far reaching question. Why do they do this?, the simple answer, is because they can, and why is this?, becacause there's not a strong enough punishment, of course, going along this line, why is there not a strong punishment?, (you'll have to excuse me, its your question, but i'm debating with myself), there are various answers to this, and i'm assuming its youngsters that did the deed, (1) not enough discipline in the home, and i'm not talking about beating, (2), not enough police on the beat, and if there were, not enough powers, (3), law courts too soft, and (4), schools nowadays don't have the powers to control youngsters anymore, but in the end, it all comes down from the goverment of the day.

[Andy008]

Count yourself lucky you don't live up the road in Southampton....I do.

[maggie01]

Yes I have to say I am not a lover of Southampton. Only go there when pressured by my other half. I don't live in Portsmouth, just outside which probably isn't much better.