Vandalism makes a pigsty out of your community

Increased security can make school feel like a prison. So why can't young people learn to look after their environment? asks Children's Express journalist Daniel McCrisken.

Vandalism - it's all we ever see nowadays. Graffiti on walls, litter on streets, railings bent open so as people can sneak into places they're not supposed to go.

Three months ago, my school, St Anne's Primary in Dunmurry, was ruined by a malicious fire when joyriders rammed a car into the building and set it alight, causing extensive damage to the school.

Before we had a chance to take more security measures and put up new railings, there was another break-in.

They smashed a window and used a crowbar to prise open an inner door. All this damage for a measly £6.

This recent spurt of attacks is growing more and more common. About one month ago, a brick was thrown through the window of another classroom. Mr Tiernan, the Principal of St. Anne's has been forced to make the school more secure.

I understand why he has had to make the school more secure but to me it is beginning to feel more like a prison than a place of learning. Now, codes have to be punched into special electronic locks before the doors open.

I am 12 years old and I don't understand why people carry out vandalism. They should think of the consequences before they act irresponsibly.

If you don't take care of where you live it will become a horrible, dirty place that is unpleasant to live in and definitely not somewhere to be proud of.

It is impossible to say who is at fault when it comes to vandalism. But parents, friends, community, councils and governments have all got a share in the blame.

But ultimately young people have a choice to make - be a part of the problem or be part of the solution. Create a good environment to grow up in or make a pig-sty to wallow in.

About the team

This story was produced by Daniel McCrisken, 12, and was published in the Andersonstown News.