THE VICAR of Deane Church, the Rev Roger Jackson, has summed up the situation accurately.

The ransacking of his church's garden of remembrance this weekend was not spur of the moment vandalism done by children.

Those responsible -- clearly grown men -- who stole valuable York Stone and smashed concrete paving had planned the theft.

The fact that they carried out their plan on the weekend that the country paid its respects to its war dead is evidence of their extreme insensitivity.

And the irony is that those who carried out the theft have probably had members of their families who fought, and possibly died, in the wars.

While the cost is a factor for the church, as the vicar says it is more importantly the distress that such theft and vandalism cause to the congregation.

It used to be that churches and their grounds were respected by everyone.

Now it is a sad sign of the times that for some people nothing is sacred.

No wonder the vicar is angry. The church has suffered from similar vandalism before and has problems with children pushing over grave stones.

Sadly, it is unlikely the people responsible will be caught. But, if they are, the strongest possible sentences must be imposed.