YOU don't need to be too bright to know that the vandal attacks making life on Tolladine a misery aren't the first to affect the Worcester estate.

And you don't need a very long memory to remember the others.

The run of warm evenings has been offered as a reason for the latest outbreak, but history proves that the weather isn't a vital factor.

In November, 1995, this column commented on the efforts of residents who wanted a footpath between Tolladine and Ronkswood closed after being subjected to a barrage of bottles, bricks and foul language.

Three months later, the same area was hit by more vandalism - though, this time, it was accompanied by assaults and underage drinking.

A month after that, we highlighted the plight of a resident who'd been targeted by youths. They'd thrown stones at his house, shouted to keep his young son awake, then scratched obscenities on his car.

A year on, we asked Worcester's General Election candidates to take a walk down Rose Avenue, Tolladine, and view the relentless destruction of the church and community centre. The list goes on and on.

The last time we ventured an opinion on the area was last October, when residents of Don Road described the grimness of living in an environment frequented by drug-dealers and littered with the wrecks of cars, smashed glass and refuse.

Part of the problem - how much, we can only guess - is that members of the public often know the names but are too frightened to give them.

It's understandable, but it's wrong.

Today, police are appealing for members of the public to help catch those responsible for the latest attacks.

The message that they can run, but they can't hide has to stick.

That means helping the police to help ourselves. Now is as good a time as any for the good to start taking possession of the streets back from the bad. Only you can do it.