During the lead up to Christmas, the alarming increase in the number of homeless people on our streets has been a hot topic for discussion countrywide and Colchester is no exception.

You would be hard pressed not to notice the bundles of damp bedding in shop doorways exposed to the elements and the unwelcome attentions of the night time culture.

Those bundles are the worldly possessions of individuals who find themselves in the depths of despair and therefore very vulnerable.

There will be many reasons why they find themselves in such dire straits but above all always be mindful they are someone's son or daughter and, as such, are deserving of some kindness and consideration.

There is no easy solution and quite clearly the situation is not going to improve any time soon in the absence of the true will and commitment of our politicians to get to grips with what is an unacceptable state of affairs as we move into 2019.

It is therefore a cause for concern on a local level that St Peter’s Church in Colchester is unable to host the “guest house” facility whereby 12 rough sleepers enjoy what for them would be the luxury of bed and breakfast from mid December through to the end of February.

Unfortunately the church hall roof has been declared unsafe and, at the time of writing, there is no news as to whether a new location has been offered.

Although the weather has not been particularly cold as yet, it is cold enough if you are on the street. Imagine how awful it will be for them when winter arrives.

Judy Bishop

Morella Close, Great Bentley