I have sometimes noticed a few checking phone boxes for change and the ones you describe are probably genuinely in need but be wary of two young disabled men who show up regularly. One walks on crutches and looks as though he has been affected by polio, the other appears to be blind. They both have brown/dark neatly trimmed beards and hair. I'm not convinced by either of them. The one on crutches put in an appearance on Greenford Broadway.Beggars have been less of a problem recently in West Ealing. There was a time when you couldn't walk a block without being asked for money. On one occasion I was verbally abused by a man for not giving him change that I couldn't actually provide. He was clearly looking for the price of his next fix. There is likely to be a need for more places in local homeless shelters this winter and I would urge anyone who feels generous to donate to these efforts as I know they are obliged to turn people away every night. Councillors please note, this issue needs to be addressed urgently. The downturn in the economy has meant that migrant workers in the building trade have been particularly badly affected. The suffering of these people is largely hidden from local residents who have no idea how bad the situation is. I believe the availability of heroin is also adding to the problem in Ealing. A digression but a related issue - I watched a young woman who showed signs of heroin addiction remove a bag full of donated items from the doorway of a charity shop one evening. If donors and charities want these items to do the good they are supposed to they should, in the first case, visit the shop while it's open, and, in the second, organise some sensible opening hours.
Albertina McNeill ● 4947d