There are times I do despair ....

You wouldn't think it could happen would you. But sadly it has ...

Spirit of London

A spokesman for operator Stagecoach said the "upper deck of the bus is largely burnt out. We can confirm the bus affected was the Spirit of London, a double-decker which replaced the vehicle destroyed in the 7 July bombing in 2005, which killed 13 passengers".

The "mindless vandalism shows a complete disregard for the safety of other people and is an insult to the memory of those who lost their lives in those terrible events of seven years ago", he added. "We have assessed the condition of the bus and it can be repaired. We will be spending £50,000 to restore the Spirit of London bus to ensure it remains a fitting tribute."

Two 14-year-old girls were charged with arson, the Metropolitan Police said.

Totally agree.

But have to ask why were two 14 year olds doing out in the early hours of the morning.

The parents/guardians should also be arrested.

As apparently they are under 18 we will get the usual "Cannot be named for legal reasons" response. But I expect that Social Services will be investigating as to whether there is a need for care orders. Until we know more it is difficult to comment further. It could well be that two kids got hold of alcohol or drugs, slipped out, and their innocent parents knew nothing of what went on until afterwards. Or it might not be. We will have to wait and see.

But, regardless, this sort of thing shouldn't have happened, and I am angry and sad that it did.

Fair comment Nick, I cannot disagree with that view. But until we know the background it is difficult to find reasons that might contribute to this. Lack of parental control, maybe a step parent, life on a sink estate, documented problems at school, are they sisters or just friends? Who knows.

I know what I suspect, as I think you do, but we must not jump to unwarranted conclusions at this stage, however tempting it is to do so.

They need a good dose of picalax, and none of them would go out ...
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It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues

Would http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Downs be considered a sink estate?

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I've never heard of this place before, and only know what I have just read about it.

A sink estate is a British council housing estate characterised by high levels of economic and social deprivation. Such estates are not always high crime areas although there is a strong correlation between crime rates and sink estates in large urban areas.

The origin and meaning of the term 'sink estate' is unknown, although it is believed it may refer to being at the depths of society. The phrase came into usage in the 1970s, and was probably a term coined by journalists.