Go down to the riverside for a walk on the wild side (From Worcester News)

Go down to the riverside for a walk on the wild side

11:53am Monday 9th October 2006 in News By John Phillpott

POLITICIANS - great and small - love cosy chats with journalists. There's a kind of we-can-sort-it-out-chap type of consensus that is much favoured by a broad strata ranging from big deal Euro MPs to lowly local councillors.

In recent times, I've been offered a trip to Brussels to view the workings of the EU and at the other end of the scale a tour of a housing estate to witness anti-social behaviour should it arise.

Such exercises are, of course, more to do with press relations rather than any higher motive. I'd much rather see action that has meaning for the ordinary person.

For example, I'd like a commitment from those in authority to do something about the riverbank. During the day, the stretch from South Quay to the Diglis Hotel is vaguely civilised, but after 6pm it undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming the haunt of drunks and offensive junkies. Basically, it's time for the people who wear the shiny chains to take a walk on the wild side for once. You never know, the police might then take an interest and then there really will be something to talk about.