Life on the streets

William Wiles' article on the poster campaign that aims to stop people giving money to beggars ("Walk On By?" 8 August, page 17) fails to mention other ways we can help. Personally, I try never to give money, but if someone is hungry and thirsty will offer to buy them a drink or food.

However, I find most of all that people want to talk. I am a volunteer with a mobile library which weekly visits readers without homes in Westminster. Our readers generally treat us and the books with great respect – in contrast with some members of the public who interrupt us to give their views on how homeless people should be dealt with and insult our readers by generalising about homeless people.

Rough sleepers often tell how they have been beaten up by apparently respectable citizens. I don't encounter aggressive beggars, but I do encounter aggressive members of the general public.

People like Jeremy Swain should know better than feed the prejudices that produce this kind of behaviour in the general public. Thames Reach is doing some excellent work, but that work is not going to be helped by its CEO's sensationalist comments. He is feeding the prejudice and lack of empathy which discriminates against homeless people.

Trying to force people into hostels is not the answer. Our readers are often on the street because they have had bad experiences in hostels; many go back on the street because they feel unsafe in hostels.

Involving people who are homeless in the solutions is the best way forward.