Letters: New Milton crimewave – police presence must continue

SIR – Thank you for giving prominence in your headline to the recent spate of local break-ins and thefts from businesses and charities in New Milton (A&T, 7th October).

We were victims on Wednesday 5th October. I hope the promised increase in the necessary police presence will have a lasting impact in both preventing and prosecuting those responsible for what you have correctly described as a “crimewave”.

I am writing to thank publicly Philip Gorton, of Gorton Interiors, for coming into our shop in Old Milton Road the next morning and donating the money stolen the night before, and local tradespeople Phil and Debbie Emerson, who have offered to refit the shop’s door, smashed by a concrete block used to gain entry, free of charge.

The local businesses of New Milton are not only long-suffering but extremely generous.

On behalf of the many people with learning disabilities we serve, I am most grateful.

Michael Snell,

Chair, New Forest Mencap

******

SIR – The break-ins in New Milton high street and beyond (A&T, 7th October) showed shop CCTV of the break ins and the culprits – but, once again, no street CCTV pictures.

Why? Where are the cameras? More importantly, are there any CCTV cameras covering our high street and surrounding roads?

I don’t think so and these young criminals know that.

If they are local, and I’m guessing they are, they are clearly in the know – especially as in the tile-throwing episode (A&T, 30th September) one allegedly bragged that the police won’t even show up!

Has the council taxpayer been charged for CCTV covering the town? Where are the councillors whose wages we pay in our taxes? What are they doing about it and will we actually get monitored CCTV?

Name and address supplied