I READ with disgust Thursday’s article portraying the western area of Newton Aycliffe ‘as worse than the Channel 4 show Shameless’ (Echo, Apr 28).

This small group would be better placed to work within the community to support the good work going on.

To provide a balanced view, a western area group, established by Livin, County councillors, police, residents and other local partners, is looking at issues within the area, such as employment support, youth work and public realm improvements.

A third meeting is planned along with an estate walkabout.

The police have taken direct action through arrests, convictions and ASBOs to reduce bad behaviour. Dorothy Bowman claimed that ‘a lack of funding’ is part of the cause however, since 2013 local County councillors Kate Hopper and I, have injected more than £50,000 into this area providing valuable resources.

It is worth noting that the junior neighbourhood watch group received more than £56,000 of council tax-payers’ money from 2009 to 2013. Are those resources being effectively used?

Talking this area down only exacerbates the issues and drives good people away, we all need to continue to work together and develop positive relationships; this is a better way to establish real change and improvements.

Eddy Adam, Newton Aycliffe