Sir.-I have been reading with interest the issues surrounding Basingstoke and people supposedly "being proud of the town".

I am far from enthusiastic.

Just one month into the new year, it seems many people here continue to live with little respect for themselves, other people and property.

A number of examples include: while walking in town on January 16, I witnessed people throwing food wrappers in Market Place; a blond-haired yob relieving himself in Winchester Street (hopefully, the wonderful security equipment picked this up), despite public conveniences behind McDonald's; and the continuing issue of people dumping their rubbish and worn-out domestic appliances and goods wherever they feel fit to do so.

A neighbour of mine, at the top of my road, had their front gate blown off at the beginning of January and the occupiers seem quite content to let it sit in their path for all to see.

Can I only conclude that Basingstoke people know nothing about common decency and respect for themselves and fellow citizens?

It seems that bad taste rules.

I found it interesting that someone wrote to the paper at the beginning of December mentioning that Oakridge had always had a yob problem, following the issue about safety outside the new Tesco store there. This problem is, sadly, not confined to that area but several areas of the town.

God help us when the licensing laws are changed - they will make London Street even more unsavoury and downmarket, if that is possible.

When people say Basingstoke is a "great place to live in and work in", I disagree.

In a post-1960s overspill former market town, the emphasis seems to be on the common rather than the decency.

-Nicholas Burton, Merton Road, Basingstoke.