Dear Editor,

Just a few thoughts on the article on street drinkers last week:

PSCO Paul Davies is quoted as saying that, “Members of the public have been feeling quite intimidated. It is a cause of concern for many people.” However, he also says that in his experience the street drinkers have not been antisocial, and have moved on when asked, but just returned later.

They are actually a really friendly group of people when you get to know them, and all enjoy a chat.

Many of them have housing and employment problems and one of their few pleasures is sitting together in town watching the world go by. If they are ’moved on’ from the town centre where will they go?

Chris Bartrum asks, will these people be offered help? Many of them attend the nearby church and enjoy a weekly hot meal there. Also the Community Food Larder runs Tea and Toast one morning a week in the winter.

It may seem simplistic, but maybe part of the answer is to provide more help rather than prosecute?

Lucy Price

Walford