THERE are moments of adversity when civilised people want to shrug their shoulders, murmur 'what's the point?' and toss the barbarians at the gate the keys to the city.

We hope such sentiments do not prevail among the dedicated people who look after the arson-hit Seven Fields nature reserve in Penhill. For every vandal there are hundreds who despise such conduct. And the vandals themselves? It is pointless trying to reason with such people, because they have no powers of reason.

They should simply be caught and severely punished and the sooner the better.