Ken Veitch (Letters, 11 December) makes a wild assumption that someone ringing doorbells in a suburban area of Newcastle at 8.30pm, trying to sell dish cloths, is desperate to support their family. I think possibly not.
Only two months ago, a young man rang my doorbell in suburban Manchester, begging me to buy something from his large holdall. He carried a card stating he was from Newcastle, was a former offender now out of prison on an “official” scheme to help him get back on his feet.
On a previous occasion, it was an ex-prisoner from Nottingham with a similar card, and a similar large bag full of sponges, dusters, oven gloves etc.
There was a time when I would buy something I didn’t want, out of pity. But now in my 70s, I do not want to have an argument on my doorstep with an ex-offender on a dark rainy night, with a touch of menace about it.
I’d like to know who is behind such schemes, and who is really making the money. I have been advised not to buy anything by neighbourhood police.
Susan Treagus
Manchester
