'Make the parents pay for their children's vandalism'

New laws should be brought in to make parents accountable for their children's actions, according to one deputy.

Housing minister Dave Jones (pictured) added his comments yesterday to the current debate about vandalism in the island.

'We ought to bring in legislation that would make parents responsible for the actions of their children,' he said.

'They have to be held accountable when their children behave in this disgraceful manner. Where there is a lack of discipline, in many respects I have a lot of sympathy for parents - because it has almost become illegal to discipline your children.'

The deputy also suggested that the courts needed to look at sentencing powers.

'Certainly what we've got at the moment is not deterring anybody, because this crime is rising year on year, month on month. We know the courts are not working effectively.

'We need to hand out sentences so when people commit criminal damage they incur a debt and that follows them until the victim receives some financial compensation for the damage to their property,' he said.