LIB DEM councillor John Beirne has challenged Home Secretary Jack Straw to visit St Helens and look at the 'carnage' that gipsies and travellers have allegedly left in their wake.
The move follows accusations by the councillor that the Labour government has 'let down the people of St Helens' regarding the continual problems of gipsies and travellers who have invaded the town, leaving some areas looking like 'bombsites'.
Coun Beirne claims that unwanted visitors have "wreaked havoc on local communities". He said: "For years now, they have come into our town and have broken laws, leaving mess everywhere with the good Council Tax payers of St Helens having to pick up the bill - this is just not right!"
National newspapers have reported that Jack Straw has asked for a 'softer approach' by the police when dealing with gipsies and travellers, but Coun Beirne believes that the people of St Helens deserve tougher laws to deal with the problem.
He hopes this challenge will give local residents an opportunity to voice their complaints to the Home Secretary.
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