Tonge Asks For Bog Island Meeting

2.34.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Aug 2003

Jenny Tonge MP for Richmond Park

Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has written to Richmond Council's Director of Social Services Jeff Jerome, asking him to set up a meeting of interested parties to look into the problems of street drinking in the centre of Richmond.

"I have asked Mr Jerome to convene a meeting with all the agencies who have to deal with drunks and vagrants - Spear, the Vineyard Centre, the Police, Social Services, the relevant Councillors, tradespeople and the Vicar of Richmond." the MP said.

"We have all tried long and hard to resolve this problem, but every time we do, we only succeed in moving it from one part of the town to another. A more long-term solution is needed."