I have many happy memories of the Bournemouth and Christchurch area, which I lived in for 55 years from the age of nine, but for the last nine years have lived near Nantwich in Cheshire.

I have regularly visited my family in Bournemouth and seen the gradual changes to a once pleasant and thriving town.

These changes have not been good to see and during my recent visit in September I was horrified and saddened to see what has happened to the town centre.

What I saw and experienced was highlighted and reinforced by the front page headline article by Hanah Knight in the 26 September edition of the Daily Echo, "Theft rising like I have never seen".

The number of homeless people wandering the streets and in doorways was unbelievable and sad, but even more staggering was the number of shops with one or even two security guards clearly visible in the entrances; even WH Smith had one for goodness sake.

Having stopped and talked to a number of them it was very clear why they were needed and the front page headline in the Daily Echo made total sense.

This could only have happened under the stewardship of the council administrations over the years and the gradual reduction in visible policing. The town centre appears to be beyond saving.

Rest in peace Bournemouth town centre.

Carl Michalski

Nantwich, Cheshire