Why we fear travellers

The Daily Echo's article titled "Conmen builders netted £250,000 from victims" says exactly what residents of Swaythling have been saying all along. But no one believes us.

How many more incidents like this is it going to take?

At the Cabinet meetings of the 17th and 22nd January at least 10 concerned residents and a representative for the business community stood up in front of the council and told of incidents similar to these.

How can the Kanes Hill community offer reassurance to residents of Swaythling who fear travellers as neighbours?

Perhaps the residents who were quoted in the Echo article dated 25/01/07 lived too far away and were not aware of the sort of conmen they had living in their midst.

In the article, Cllr Simon Letts told Swaythling residents should beware believing myths about travellers. "The myth that all travellers cause problems is completely disproved by the Kanes Hill site".

Are the incidents reported in the Echo on the February 15 yet more myths?

If these residents of Kanes Hill caravan site are such nice people why were we told at the council meeting on January 17 that councillors had been warned only to visit the site in pairs for their own safety? I have asked this question before but I have never had a reply.

As Det Insp Dave Powell said "they are a criminal gang who preyed on the most vulnerable members of the community. They are the dregs of society who had no regards for who they targeted."

These dregs of society think they are above the law and can break the law with impunity on the grounds that they are entitled to expect society to give them what they want, regardless of the effect upon anyone else.

Can you imagine what all the elderly and vulnerable residents in Swaythling will be thinking now? Whose human rights are really being violated? Can someone please answer me that?

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.