I WRITE with reference to Charles Dales’ letter about homeless people (Letters, February 25).

I understand Mr Dales’ comments and I find what he says totally believable.

I have often felt that I would like to help the homeless in some way, but how do we know who is a genuine homeless person? Those who are not appear to benefit too much from those who are.

Once while in Portswood there was a man sat outside a charity shop begging. He had a large dog with him. The lady in the shop said that she knew he lived nearby, so was not homeless.

Those sorts of people really do spoil things for genuine homeless people. Do they have no pride?

Stephanie Hughes