Once again, we at Leach Court have been the victims of mindless vandalism from brainless hooligans leaving clubs and pubs and heading east along Eastern Road in the early hours of the morning.

And, once again, they have stolen the flags from our flagstaff.

At Leach Court sheltered housing in Kemp Town, there are a lot of ex-service men and women who fought in the Second World War for freedom and democracy.

They sailed in the Russian convoys and fought in Europe, Africa and the Far East. Some of the women who live here tilled the land and worked in munitions factories.

After the war, the ex-service personnel worked, paid their taxes and did much else to help Britain.

Now, these ruffians are destroying any good these people achieved.

A lot of elderly people say they are glad they are leaving this world. What a thing for them to say.

One day, these hooligans will be old. I hope the generation which follows them has more respect for them and other people's property than they do for us.

If those who stole our flags on Wednesday, June 15, would like to return them, we would be grateful.

I don't hold out much hope, though.

-John Pippard, Eastern Road, Brighton