AS I went to post a letter yesterday (December 12) at 5.25pm at the post-box in Ann Street, on the Glyndon Estate, I saw to my horror that someone had set it alight, as smoke was pouring out of it.

The Fire Brigade and the postman arrived at around 5.35pm. But by then, much of the mail in the box was reduced to ashes. I feel so sorry for all the people who will never receive Christmas cards from family and friends who would, of course, be unaware the cards and letters posted have perished.

Next to the pillar-box, a car has stood for nearly two weeks, all the windows are smashed and the interior damaged. Plants recently planted nearby were uprooted and thrown into the car with a lot of soil.

What do these incidents tell us about this neighbourhood? A minority of mindless thugs is making life unpleasant for everyone else. But it should not be so.

We should all be able to live here without fear of a criminal element. Let us resolve, in the New Year, to fight back and reclaim the right to live on the Glyndon Estate without accepting vandalism as 'normal'.

MRS E HOBBS

Glyndon Road

Plumstead

December 20, 2001 10:50