ONCE again the enduring ignorance and intolerance shown towards the UK's most vulnerable citizens shocks me (What Are Travellers Depressed About?, News Shopper, December 21).

During the Second World War, 500,000 gypsies were massacred in concentration camps. Today between 250 and 300 are murdered in Europe each year.

Cardiff Law School estimates 10 per cent of gypsies versus 90 per cent of non-gypsies have planning applications accepted.

Access to primary healthcare and education is problematic, resulting in low educational achievement and a significantly lowered life expectancy.

The settled community has had 250 years to adjust to an urban lifestyle. The housed gypsies have had only 30 years.

Local authorities show no compunction in pursuing draconian enforcement policies including bulldozing homes, forcing thousands of gypsies into illegal encampments.

Many on Walden's Farm, such as the Maughan family, have repeatedly contaced Bromley Council to pay their council tax but have yet to receive a reply.

One of the first families to move onto Walden's Farm had to remove 75 lorry loads of tipped material to designated rubbish sites.

Recognition from the highest level is supposedly given to the rights of gypsies and travellers but reality tells a different story.

I can, however, agree on one point the writer makes this situation is intolerable.

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