THE programme to rebuild or refurbish Glasgow’s primary schools has taken a long time and a considerable amount of money.

For many years pupils were being taught in old and crumbling buildings which were leaking and in serious need of repair.

The cash was found at a time when cash available to the council is tighter than ever and every single penny has to be accounted for and ensured it is spent wisely.

Which makes the actions of the mindless thieves who have raided the schools for building materials to sell for scrap blood-boilingly unacceptable.

The cash that will now need to spent on repairs is cash that could be going to other vital services like care for the elderly or repairing dangerous roads.

Some people are under the misapprehension that stealing lead is victimless and no-one gets hurt and so turn a blind eye.

The truth is we all pay, and these criminals are robbing each and every one of us when they target our public buildings for quick cash.

They are clearly big fans of metal, turning lead from school roofs into cash for them to spend.

So, if anyone knows who is responsible for this spate of thefts, turn them in and let them spend even more time with metal ...

Behind steel bars, where they belong!