CHILD arsonists and vandals could be sued for the damage they cause in a new bid to get tough on anti-social behaviour.

Swindon Council's cabinet member for children's services Garry Perkins said taxpayers were fed up with paying for the damage caused by young tearaways.

He said the only way to stop them was to "hit them in the pocket".

He has asked council lawyers to look at the borough's legal position.

If they can, the council will sue for damage done to its property, even to the extent of trying to get damages out of the parents of child vandals.

Coun Perkins, (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) said the most recent case was £250,000 damage done to Southfield Junior School in an arson attack.

He said the council was insured for the damage but still had to pay for the first £50,000 of the bill.

"We are looking at chasing them through the courts," Coun Perkins said.

He said the council was considering its legal options, to the extent of suing the parents of juvenile troublemakers.

"If they are minors, maybe we can go after the parents who might have to mortgage their house.

"The same goes for vandalism. That's costing hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage each year.

"We are going to start getting tough. It's not fair on the normal taxpayers."

He said court penalties were not enough to deter often repeat offenders.

"Their little community sentences aren't enough," Coun Perkins said.

"The only way to do it is to hit people in the pocket."

Coun Perkins said debts hanging over young hooligans might make them think twice before damaging public property.

"If they cannot afford a car, they might start to think."

Two mobile classrooms in Southfield Junior School was burnt to the ground on Sunday morning.

Three engines attended after passing motorists and residents raised the alarm at 12.30am.

Twenty firefighters battled for three hours to bring the blaze under control.

Children at Southfield will start the new school year two days late after both classrooms, which house two Year 3 classes, were destroyed.

  • A teenager has appeared in court accused of starting the fire.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Swindon Youth Court on Wednesday charged with one count of arson, another of theft and one count of obstruction of justice.

The youth, who is from Highworth, was accompanied by his mother and members of Swindon's Youth Offending Team and social services.

The youth was released on conditional bail to appear at Swindon Crown Court on Wednesday, October 11.

The conditions of his bail state that he must not enter Highworth town centre unless accompanied by either his parents or a member of the Swindon Youth Offending Team.

He is also not allowed to be in contact with anyone on a list of 25 people who are being investigated by the police in relation to the blaze.

He is also subject to a curfew and is being electronically tagged.