“Leicester is a poor city, it is as simple as that.”

“They're adults so there's nothing that can be done about it. We live under a system of majority rule, where if you are not in the dominant social group, you might as well not exist. People subconsciously know this and act accordingly. If people have been dealt a 'bad hand' in life yet still manage to wrench a bit of fun out of it then we shouldn't hold it against them. Until we have a system based on merit alone where everyone can be a potential winner (regardless of upbringing), there will always be excluded people living on the margins.”

“Leicester City Centre is a complete and utter eyesore. Every other shop is a pound store or equivalent and/or a fast food place. Other than the Highcross centre there is absolutely nothing modern, clean or not in need of repair. Awful awful place.

There once was a time when people came to shop in Leicester from other cities but not any more and I can't blame them.

It's kinda like a nightclub, it looks OK in the dark but when the lights come on you can actually see what a complete dump it is and yep, the clientele it's now attracting leaves a lot to be desired and just enhances the terrible state it is in.”

“You're complaining because some people are scruffy? Really? You want a dress code for a town centre?”

“I mind as it is my taxes that are supporting them f007e, I have no idea if you work or not. I do work and I pay taxes that pay these people through their dole/JSA payments...”

“Is your life really that boring?”

“nice reply Nick

I cannot believe some of the people on this site. Leicester is not alone in having this problem. Go to any major city in the UK and you will see similar types of people.

Do you really think Leicester is a dump? I do not think you have visited many places in the UK or for that matter the world! I have travelled extensively and in my opinion , Leicester may not be the most beautiful city , however when compared to other industrial cities I think the city holds its own .”

“In Comment:Perhaps a fact worth mentioning--in order to qualify for jobseekers allowance-one has to be reasonably availiable for work-an important qualifying rule for jobseekers allowance-and-yep-most persons know this-however-not quite sure if it applies to other benefits.Hope that helps.”

“"Until we have a system based on merit alone where everyone can be a potential winner (regardless of upbringing), there will always be excluded people living on the margins."

How can everyone be a potential winner when many suffer life-limitations often from birth. A meritocracy will always exclude those who for reasons beyond their control can not make it to the top. This is a self-contradictory statement. Perhaps you meant something else.”

“Leicester is really bad for this near Leicester College mist days we see people sitting in door ways drinking at like 9am and around bus stops with seats. Easy life for some :( x”

“I am a tramp and have slept and drank on many bench`s across the uk.and i have to say that leicester is a good place to be a tramp.But over the last few years tramping has become harder.Theirs a lot more compitition the young tramps are running the parks and the doorways are being controlled by the eastern european tramps.Hope this helps.

Charlie”

“Bums living off our taxes are only a tiny part of the problem. Up until recently, a middle-class 'professional' would typically leave university at about 25 (tax-payer funded) after a 'gap year' and walk into an easy public service job. Many of them retiring at 55 with gold plated pensions. These people really knew how to play the system and grabbed every advantage you could imagine. A working life of just 30 years without ever putting a penny back into the system, compared to the 50 year's service of the typical blue collar working in production who ends up with a measly state pension and dies early.

If you look to politics, finance and public services, all you see is failure, incompetence and deceit being massively rewarded. Ordinary people know this and our youth are expected to spend their whole lives paying off this huge debt incurred by others. How can anyone talk about moral responsibility?”

“caretr123: Charlie, I don't believe a word of it ! Is that a laptop tied up in that big black and white handkerchief tied to the end of the cane you're resting on your shoulder ?”

“" NickDiPerna1, Until we have a system based on merit alone where everyone can be a potential winner (regardless of upbringing), there will always be excluded people living on the margins."

Some people are limited from birth for many reasons. You suggest a meritocracy but that is nonsense. What you say here is a survival of the fittest. Your statement is a contradiction in itself.”

“NickDiPerna1, your comments about public sector workers not only show a profound ignorance of reality but smell of envy. If life is so good in the public sector get a job there.”

“Why are comments stopped”

“LikeItaLot. That's rich coming from the likes of you. All the liberal/left do is obsess about the Etonians in charge and banker's bonuses.

The whole public-sector reeks of envy, but people beneath them are off the radar. You know, those people who work for peanuts yet are still taxed to the hilt to give others a nice pension and living standards.”

“Presuming LFE stands for Leicester Forest East, it would appear that you have just had your first ever visit to the centre of Leicester. I guess you wont be coming back again. Shame.

I am not sure where you can go to avoid contact with scruffy people, the 1950s maybe?”

“The police are supposed to stop street drinkers in the city centre. I don't suppose our recently elected PCC is aware of the problem (or cares about it), since he doesn't even live here.”

“Rachel..."sitting in door ways drinking at like 9am and around bus stops with seats. Easy life for some"

Honestly..Do you think thats an 'easy life' ..or how people want to live??? Seriously, what would make you want to sit in a shop doorway at 9am drinking yourself into oblivion? Sounds like people with serious problems to me, maybe those society should be helping rather then condemning?? Unfortunately the way of society today means we just don't care and are quick to condemn...we have no idea what any one of these people may have had happen in their lives? ....Nick...once again we come back to the same old subject with you :/”

“cyberandy

You seem to be plugging the policies of our glorious mayor and ousting the opposition at every opportunity. No affiliations there?”

“NickDiP
I did not even mention our glorious mayor. And no, I do not have any affiliations there (apart from being a socialist.....!)
So, what is the policy of our recently elected PCC regarding street drinkers in the city centre? Is he aware of the problem?”

“"So, what is the policy of our recently elected PCC regarding street drinkers in the city centre? Is he aware of the problem?"

Problem? Sounds like you are indeed a great socialist and humanitarian, Andy. Could you tell me what your approval of Jubilee Square has to do with socialism? I know political people love dumb people, but I wasn't born yesterday.”

“@ mam35 - Yes it is an easy life, how many empty job sites do you see? I see none! There are loads of jobs out there for all, no-one wants them as they have a nice life on benefits.”

“"how many empty job sites do you see?" By definition there wont be any, because they would be out of business otherwise.

I know the concept of some jobs being better quality than others can be difficult for some people to grasp - but surely everyone understands that the ratio of jobs to people looking for jobs, is what matters? Hence why we have stories of a new Costa opening and thousands applying for a few jobs. Its no excuse for the unemployed not to look and apply, of course it isn't, but there is also no excuse for not having a bit of sympathy for those that have a bit of bad luck. And there is no excuse for confusing the few that dont want to work with the thousands that do, who apply to every opening, even if its working in a Costa on minimum wage.”

“Correct zygote3 - That is the point as you said there are jobs out there go get them :)”

“Plenty of jobs for all?? My brother has been unemployed for almost two years. He graduated with a Distinction in Chemical Analysis from a fantastic university, on top of his MA in Chemistry. He can't claim any benefits because he lives with his fiancee (who is a brilliant high school teacher), so he has to live of his savings. He has tried to get jobs as a Chemist, scientific research assistant, lab tech at schools. He then tried to get a job in offices, banks, high street stores, places such as Tescos and Sainsburys. No one will take him. They tell him he's 'too qualified for this job', 'not qualified enough for this job', 'oh, you have a brilliant science degree, we won't hire you because we want someone who will stay for a long time'. He can't get part time work or full time work. And you tell me that there are plenty of jobs for all?? Come and join us in the real world please.”

“No-one said it was easy Becki - There are jobs out there , are you saying there aren't? You keep trying until you get one, no excesses , after two years I would say he was or is looking at the wrong sort of jobs!”

“How is he looking at the wrong sort of jobs when he has looked at almost all industries (he obviously hasn't looked at jobs such as teaching as he isn't qualified). He has managed to get small temp jobs, such as surveying and warehouse packing, but that is it. There are jobs if you have the 'experience' but many graduated students are stuck in a catch-22 - you need experience to get a job, but you get experience without a job. It's an endless circle. I experienced it when I took a year out of studying. That was four years ago. I know many students that are deciding to do Masters courses not because they're massively passionate about it, but because there aren't the jobs to go in to when they graduate.
I refuse to take on anyone's comment that my brother has done anything wrong when I see how hard he works to get a job. Everyday he sends CVs to companies, every few days he visits shops and other businesses to hand out CVs and try to get interviews. For anyone to say 'there are plenty of jobs' and then when they're told that people have tried everywhere 'oh... well i guess they just aren't looking in the right place!' is quite frankly insulting.”

“"he obviously hasn't looked at jobs such as teaching as he isn't qualified" - I hate to state the obvious, has he thought about getting qualified to become a teacher? You say he has a degree, so train as a teacher by doing a PGCE course…”

“Why, after doing 5 years of university to become a research scientist, would he train as a teacher. I always hear people who say 'those who can't, teach'. He isn't passionate about teaching, would you like someone like that teaching your children? I certainly don't. Not only that, there is now an large number of teachers. My sister in law was lucky to get her teaching job (she also studied an MA in Chemistry), but she can't find any new positions around the country that are viable. He may have to move away for work, so they know they may have to be seperated.

It isn't cheap to do a PGCE course. Some of his fees would be funded, but he'd also have to pay his living costs and the rest of the fees.

It's not a case of not wanting a job, but no one should teach school kids if they don't actually want to be a teacher.

Just because someone has a degree does not mean they want to teach. I am hoping to gain a MA in History next year. At the end of that I want to take a PhD so I can move into historical research and ultimately lecture and publish my research. I wouldn't want to teach high school kids - it's not in depth enough. My friend has a degree in English - she doesn't want to teach it, but she doesn't want to stay working in the betting shop.”

“Is this a rhetorical reply?
"Why, after doing 5 years of university to become a research scientist, would he train as a teacher?" Because it is a job and as he hasn't worked in two years I would have thought any job would be better than being on benefits for over two years... That is why.”

“He hasn't been on benefits for two years (I put that in my first comment) as he can't even claim because he lives with his working fiancee (and he had the smarts to put money into savings whilst he was at university).

No, teaching is a bad idea. What happens if during the time he trains a science job arrives. He would be at a net loss (he would have to still pay the rest of the fees). He would miss his opportunity. And I repeat my previous statement, there are 'too many' teachers (I know at least NQT's who are unemployed in different subjects). He isn't passionate about teaching. He considered it, but he's not passionate and would not feel comfortable teaching 14 year olds. With a career that is become more and more target based, it is not a job for the light hearted (I know many teachers who are currently working).

People shouldn't judge others based on the fact that they have ruled out one specific job. He has worked hard to get his degree, he was let down by his uni when the funding for the PhD he applied for fell through, and he was left with no real source of income. Odd part time temp jobs have helped put some money in the pot but its not enough.

It seems the system penalises those who are smart with their money. My brother managed to get some savings and moved in with his fiancee (whilst he was waiting to start the PhD). For that reason he can't claim. But as time goes on, and he dips more into his savings, I'm impressed he hasn't hit rock bottom yet. He tries all week, every week to get a job (any kind!) There are plenty of people in the country like it. Instead, people who have had a cushy life their whole lives, who have been damn lucky, turn around and say 'there's plenty of jobs' etc. It is disheartening to anyone who has been in this situation.”

“If he is happy doing nothing for two years and claim nothing then that is down to him and his partner if they can afford to do so, good luck to them both. If I was he, I would want any job I could find to make some money regardless what it was...”

“musical_becki has a point, it is not easy to get jobs when you are out of one. I understand Zoolander's point of view and have to agree that I worked in a called centre in Derby many years ago and had a 2:1 degree and later in life got my Masters… We all have to start somewhere. I now make good money and do not regret my time there, no one is too overqualified for any job most of the people I was working next to had only GCSEs at best, my line-manager had only A-Level standard qualifications…Next to them I was very qualified.

The example becki has used is very common, there are thousands like this…There is no easy fix, I do believe even today call centres take on near enough anyone. Has he tried that for a short-term fix? Once you are working, the doors of options come flooding in from all angles.”

“He would be 'unemployed' for a third year if he studied for a third year (and forking out another £4000) which makes him worse off.

He isn't 'doing nothing'. He isn't happy either. I think you are one of those ignorant people who will never change their minds.

Congratulations on managed to have an easy life so far. I hope that you are never put in the situation that so many others are in today.”

“Martin, yes he's looked at retail, voluntary work, call centres, bank call centres, banks, garden centres, surveying (had a small period of employment but then the boss just stopped calling him for jobs), pub work, warehouse work. On top of that he's looked for the things he is also qualified for. I have looked for call centre work and not got it because I wasn't flexible enough. When I was unemployed before I started uni I applied for both full and part time work (the part time work said I was TOO flexible, why was I applying for a part time job if I was available all the time etc so I couldn't get those jobs either).

It's a horrible situation to be in. One that many of the older generation do not seem to understand. I was very lucky, my previous employers rehired me last summer - but it's incredibly hard studying my final year and working 20 - 24 hours a week part time as well. Doing a Chemistry degree my brother needed to spend all his time in the lab so couldn't commit to a part-time job. A thing that had probably heavily affected his situation now unfortunately.”

“I understand your situation becki, it is not easy, and there is no quick way to gain employment. I was made redundant a few years ago and one week becomes six… Before long, it has been three months and then I just said to myself that enough is enough! I managed to find some work and never looked back since. I was lucky to gain work, I worked as a carer and trained with the NVQ's, and it was not nice work but still… I respect care workers after seeing what I seen there. Now, I have gone back to using my education, got myself set-up, and run a small business as I invested my saving and wages into a project. I am struggling but I hope to try to make it work if not I am back to square one again. I'll have to see where I am in a few weeks time, the job market has never been worse. All I can say is call centres do offer many roles and shifts, don't just stay in Leicester, try Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham.”

“I study in Leicester, so any jobs I have will have to be here. For my brother he is based near Oxford. Currently I'm lucky to be in my job - although working for minimum wage and being treated poorly by the managers isn't the best. But I would never pack it in unless I had a solid job to go to.
I'm glad you're back on your feet Tony, finally someone who understands mine and my brothers situations.”

“I do understand becki and hopefully all will come good for you and others. I feel the Job Centres can and should do more to help. I had to sign on and they did nothing for me at all. I had to do all the ground work myself and all they did was ask me to sign and see me again in two weeks. Hardly helpful for gaining employment.”

“That's all true but Leicester does have some really bad problems and in the day it is a really poor looking city :( x”

“musical_becki

It is not easy I have stated that in a post above. Two years is a very long time and would have thought by now he would be very depressed and any job would be a good starting point for him. You say he has savings, why doesn't he use them to do another course?”

“Zoolander - you miss the point of my post above. If there are 1000 people looking for jobs for every job available, then clearly 999 will be unsuccessful. Of course they should carry on applying and trying, looking at alternatives, in that position I would and I would expect anyone else to. But you stated in your comment above that "There are loads of jobs out there for all..." - this is simply not the case, and implies that there are at least as many jobs available as people looking for them.

So I think we should have a bit of sympathy for the poor souls that end up in the wrong place at the wrong time employment wise, and not crassly accuse them of being benefit scroungers.”

“Because if he spent his savings on another course, and he didn't get a job at the end of that, he would have nothing left. Then he wouldn't be able to buy the necessities (such as food). There aren't the courses available for his career choice (funding has been cut).

Yes, any job would be great (he's gone for every job he could), unfortunately they don't employ him because they think he will leave soon etc. I just don't think you will ever understand. I'm leaving this debate now.”

“"Zoolander - you miss the point of my post above. If there are 1000 people looking for jobs for every job available, then clearly 999 will be unsuccessful. What if there were more than one vacancy going, maths?

" Because if he spent his savings on another course, and he didn't get a job at the end of that, he would have nothing left. Then he wouldn't be able to buy the necessities (such as food). There aren't the courses available for his career choice.." He was going to spend that money on a course (you stated) but it all went wrong...So the money would have been used on that course and therefore after that what is/was the chance of employment, the same as doing another course.. That makes no sense at all...”

“"What if there were more than one vacancy going, maths?"

I think you are being obtuse and fully understand that my point is about the ratio of unemployed to available jobs. Clearly there cant be "loads of jobs out there for all", if the ratio of unemployed to vacancies is high, can there?”

“I sure am my old chappy - what you are trying to say is there isn't enough jobs to people ratio, right? I agree, but there are still many roles out there which could or would reduce the unemployment rates/ratios.”

“Final comment, just to clear up confusion. He wasn't going to pay for a course. He was committing himself to a PhD which would have earned him about £12,000 a year for three years. Sorry for the confusion. The tutor had to guarantee funding from an external source to pay his PhD students (I think there was going to be three or four of them). The company then pulled out.”

“Couldn't he find another company..?”

“That was up to the academic not my brother. So no he could not have found another company. The company invests in the scientist and his team, my brother was not qualified to find the funding. Unfortunately it's been so long, and PhDs are so few and far between at the moment that it's the newly graduating MAs that get the positions.
I am not going to be commenting anymore. You still seem to be failing to understand the fundamental issues here - thinking there is a quick fix solution to my bother's (and thousands of other's) situation.”

“"I sure am my old chappy - what you are trying to say is there isn't enough jobs to people ratio, right? I agree, but there are still many roles out there which could or would reduce the unemployment rates/ratios."

You are slowly getting there, that is what I am saying, yes. But moreover that this ratio is high at the moment, so it more difficult - and as I have repeatedly said in all my posts, no excuse for someone not to pursue every opportunity, just because it is tough.
But, at the same time, the rest of us should have a bit of sympathy for the many people who have had a bit of hard luck - not immediately write them all off as scroungers as the tabloids (and Chancellor) would have us do.”

“I feel I understand you old chappy very loud and clear. Jobs come and go, I feel as you know, at lot of times they go...who will be next to go? ;)”

“Leicester does have major issues and I don't know what can be done about people drinking in the streets the police say you can't but we all see people still drinking booze on the street :( x”

“Ban drinking and dare I say smoking, gambling. spitting and chewing gum any-where other than in enclosed premises specificly licenced for these revolting activities. I could then enjoy my hipflask in peace whilst sitting in the Town Hall Square on my shooting stick with my double barrel shotgun under my arm like the gentleman I am.”

“Zoolander "who will be next to go?",

I don't understand. What is with this "old chappy" thing that appears in a lot of your posts just lately?

Grant2010 - ROFL!! Set the hounds on the ruffians..”

“I thought it was against the law to drink on the streets now, but due to cuts on policing there is no-one to stop these drinkers to support the laws. This is why the PM wanted to have his alcohol laws price per unit to stop supermarkets selling cheap booze.”

“if you witness a crime which upsets you, it's your duty to report it then Martin. Aren't the ones congregated outside the pub called smokers nowadays.”

“Who said I didn't report it John?”

“we all as citizen's have a right to report it you, me, all of us...I report many people who break the laws in our streets.”

“Well put Zoo - I never said I have 'witnessed' any crime John Wood, I was saying I thought it was against the law?”

“MartinJCB - you thought drinking outside a pub was against the law? Zoo10 - some people report a lot of things in a lot of different places, for whatever reason - doesn't make everything a crime.

Not sticking up for those you are targetting, but it just seems a bit of a wasted argument.”

“I do not understand your post John - I was referring to drinking in the streets with cans of beer not standing outside a pub - which you cannot do unless they have an outdoor drinking section.”

“I haven't ever seen people drinking outside pubs with cans of beer, I have seen people nip out for a ciggy, and take their pint with them,

in your topic
"Many of them seem to drink in the streets or congregate outside pubs"

in which case - whilst it's not a beer garden, As long as they go back into the pub, take their glasses with them and behave, and don't ditch their tab ends on the pavement, I can't see the Police really concerning themselves with it, they may ask them to take the drink back inside, but other than that - it's not worth provoking an incident or the paperwork which goes with it. It's called Positive Policing.

Those who drink cans outdoors in public, generally tend to be those on some sort of Bender or Outing, those who don't have a home, or those under age, drinking in groups to show off. The police generally confiscate and move on in these cases.”

“John Wood I just do not understand that post. Do you live in Leicester or have you been into the city centre recently, it would appear not to be the case with these comments?”

“You're not sorry. He isn't sitting around feeling sorry for himself. He's looking for a job. I used him as an example - I know what he's going through. I've been unemployed in the past and that was horrible for me. There are thousands of people (graduates and non-grads) who have been unemployed for a long time and are stuck in an endless circle. The only profession he has said 'no' to is teaching. With no passion for the subject, and the fact that he does not enjoy working with youths, puts him in a bad position for doing a PGCE. Every job he has been offered he's taken. Unfortunately, none of them have been long term.

I'll repeat my previous comments. You are simply ignorant to the plight of thousands of people in this (and many other) countries.”

“Or maybe you are " simply ignorant to the plight of thousands of people in this (and many other) countries." towards working people?”

“" The only profession he has said 'no' to is teaching. With no passion for the subject, and the fact that he does not enjoy working with youths,..." Who said he has to work with youths, he could teach children (primary) and not secondary or post 16s?

" He isn't sitting around feeling sorry for himself. He's looking for a job." Yes, for over two years now...”

“Overall, many people need jobs (fact) some will do any job just to earn money, some will be unemployed for years as they have delusions of grandeur, simple. No excuses at all.”

“Becki,

Don't engage with them. I sense that some on here feel they've fallen somewhat short of the mark. The notion of moral superiority that allows them to snipe at the unemployed apparently doesn't extend to posting on here when they're at work.

I wish your brother every success.”

“excellent shout Marog - rings a bell..”

“I feel more police is required on the streets of Leicester in the day time as most small crimes are committed then. Also, what has happened to the Community Support Officers you never see them about much nowadays...”

“The job market is tough and very competitive. Degree, experience and more does not mean much, it means you meet the job specs that means you could be invited to an interview, no more. All anyone can do is try and keep applying until you gain employment.”

“The job market is tough and very competitive. Degree, experience and more does not mean much, it means you meet the job specs that means you could be invited to an interview, no more. All anyone can do is try and keep applying until you gain employment.”

“Yes it is martin, but there are still jobs out there that is my main point. Until they are all filled I cannot feel sorry for anyone...”

“Martin - a sensible post and very true. I really don't think that jobseekers (true job seekers) want sympathy Zoolander, and the fact that people are actively seeking long term employment also suggests that most people would prefer to earn a wage rather than be handed a subsidy, so again I don't think most would care whether you were sympathetic or not. What I wouldn't ever do, no matter whether you are an employee or self employed, is take your position for granted, one thing I was always told is the higher you go, the more slippery the ladder, and all those people you might have trodden on to get up the ladder, will still be there when you fall back down.. and it's so true.”

“The job market is very bad indeed.

May I ask what your job is as it states this on your profile:

"I read papers for a living, and respond to complaints from the public or the Advertising Standards Agency Not really very exciting."”

“Job title is on my profile right there above the description.”

“Not sure about some of the above comments but I do agree Leicester is facing a big percentage of drinkers in the daytime.”

“Was Margaret Thatcher to blame for how we live today with her privatisation of many services and general decision making? Is the lack of jobs, and costly services such as public transport and more all down to her leadership and reign as the Prime Minister?”

“Or a very big case of delusions of grandeur...”

“Put it another way Margaret Thatcher player her part in the way we live today as do all PMs. She made many mistakes as do most PMs, was she the worse leader we have had, well I am not sure.”

“That is very true Martin! I noticed your knock on effect comment and agree there what she did will last forever and effect us all. This is why come people where having parties (which was ill taste) on news of her passing on...”

“Yes, I accept that ZooLander and agree with both parts.”

“"I don't think Leicester is as bad as some people think." - no, its almost like some people enjoy knocking the city to get a reaction isn't it? Many cities have this affect on some people, Liverpool for example, but the difference seems to be that it is people that claim to live here that knock it the most.”

“Now I understand why Leicester has such issues last night when I was out at my local I noticed two community support officers in a pizza takeaway shop waiting for their pizza! How unprofessional as they were clearly dressed in their uniform, if they were off-duty they should change. With policing support like this I am not shocked to see how the streets are the best place to commit small crimes.”

“That is not right at all Martin, they might be reported if they were in uniform and indeed on duty. You sure there wasn't an incident inside the pizza shop they were attending?”

“Martin. So when you work your 8/9 hour shift you don't stop for lunch?”

“They were the only people in the place Tony no-one else (other than staff). At 10 pm at night I would say that was odd and clearly not preventing crimes.”

“That is weird then they must have been on a break, I hope. Believe it or not the police work 24/7 so they have to fit in there break times when it is a quiet time. I feel the Support Officers are doing a good job on the whole.”

“True Tony, I should have asked them thinking about it now. The police do work hard and at you say there don't have weekends off. I feel you could be right Tony and they were on a break. Another case solved lol.”

“You should have asked that would have been interesting Martin. Overall, the police budget has beet cut so badly that most streets are not patrolled at all, this making crimes all that big easier...possibly...”

“I should have looking back, oh well not to worry.”

“I am sure there was a real for them being in the fast food place I wouldn't worry about it guys x”

“real reason was suppose to be added then x”

“@ Martin sounds about right there lol”

“So the police were likely to be on a break buying some food. Where is the crime?”

“I haven't been in Leicester for a long time now. I cannot remember it being this bad in the day? I blame the cheap beer you can buy from local shops, you can get high strength larger for £1 which is around 8% which would get anyone drunk after one or two cans.”

“Hillarious.”

“The T.V. show the prisoner yesterday showed us how people turn to cheap booze as one of the ex inmates was just popping in and off of shops buying cheap beer cans and getting drunk off them. I agree there City_C10 the price of the strong booze should be put up more. I could see his behaviour was getting more violent after a few cans...”

“I don't really drink as it costs too much and I am not really in to that I like to keep fit and healthy. Leicester has lots n lots of cheap off license places to get cheap drink :( x”

“That is right Rachel heavy amounts of drink is a mugs game for idiots. Having one or two social drinks is fine. The problem if the prices go up it then is not fair on people who drink responsibly. I do not like to see strong beer or cider on sale, should we remove it from sale?”

“It is refreshing to see a young person not keen on drinking for a change Rachel. I have to echo the thoughts of Zoolander, I agree with that. When we are young we all over drink as you get older you wise-up to the harm you could be doing to your body and mind. I feel ban strong percentages of alcohol why is it need for apart from getting very drunk!”

“I never thought before you said that about the need for high strength drink. Why is it needed, well it isn't. Drink companies have to take some responsibilities over this. The average alcohol percentage is around 4% in most drinks. The only reason to drink a higher percentage is to become drunk or drunken.”

“I never thought before you said that about the need for high strength drink. Why is it needed, well it isn't. Drink companies have to take some responsibilities over this. The average alcohol percentage is around 4% in most drinks. The only reason to drink a higher percentage is to become drunk or drunken.”

“I disagree City that it's a change for young people not to drink much. I'm 21 I don't really drink. I'm in my final year of uni, never attended the fresher's events, and only been out to nightclubs 3 or 4 times in my 3 years at university. When I have gone out I've drank enough to feel a little bit tipsy (which for me is about 2 or 3 glasses of wine) and then I drink water or pepsi for the rest of the evening. Of my friends at university, most are the same as me. It's my friends over the age of 30 who tend to go out every weekend and call in 'sick' to work the following day. I find it a shame that most people in my age group (especially students) are painted with the same brush.”

“Quite agree with you City_C10 & MartinLFE why indeed have such silly strong drinks that have only on goal to make people drunk quickly. The government should be tackling the drinks companies who make them and reduce the strength of alcohol instead of out pricing normal sensible people.”

“by MartinLFEWednesday, April 17 2013, 12:35PM
"I never thought before you said that about the need for high strength drink. Why is it needed, well it isn't. Drink companies have to take some responsibilities over this. The average alcohol percentage is around 4% in most drinks. The only reason to drink a higher percentage is to become drunk or drunken."

Tell that to the millions of people who drink wine, champagne cocktails and spirits.”

“ban booze in the streets like they tried to do as well...”

“I noticed the new trend is to have a plastic bag over the drink can or bottle now. I walked past some smelly boozers today and noticed this. Why is that seemed as okay to do?”

“it isn't, but it shows they are aware it's wrong. it's no different to tramps with meths in brown paper bags..

they haven't tried to ban booze in the streets, it is a fully fledged law.

High strength drink has been around long before commercialism, it's evolved into cheap rubbish that alcoholics crave. Some people actually like it. Scotland has a real problem with it. We don't really need it to be so readily available you are right, especially when these people end up attacking our emergency services and nurses who are there to help them when they hit rock bottom.”

“I have seen that Martin as well the old plastic bags to cover up the cans/bottles they use. The only problem is we al know what it is and the smell does give it away. The smell of drink mixed with smoke has to be one of the worse smells about (yes there are others). If you get on the underground with a drunk near you the smell is horrific. I do not understand why people want to get themselves into this mess the drink will not help them, though the drink to forget and forget why they drink.”

“What can anyone do though to stop or help drunks apart from giving them our money or more booze...”

“That is all true City_C10 but I feel we are getting fed up of seeing these people do nothing all day apart from drinking and getting in peoples way and asking for money....begging is so high now I walk down the road and get people asking me for money every day now....”

“Leicester is bad for beggars who for the most part of drunks these people are causing many of the city's problems. They need a JOB and to be giving back instead of taking all the time.”

“If they are beggars, they are not 'taking' all the time - someone living on the street does receive support from the state. I have a lot of sympathy for those on the streets. It's nowhere near as bad as places such as Cambodia/Laos (which I experienced first hand last summer), but people still don't get any financial support in this country when they are in that situation. It's not as simple to tell them to get a job. As previously mentioned, it is very hard for people to get a job. For those on the streets its even harder - they have no phone number to ring them back for phone interviews etc, no fixed address to send details to, no bank account to set up payments (at the interviews that I've been to they want your bank details at that point). They are up against a huge wall when it comes to seeking employment.”

“I understand that but there is no reason for them to keep begging everyone who walks past them. Homeless shelters have been set-up for them to clean and feed. I have gave much money to charities over the years for this reason. I want the money to go on services for them not for booze or drugs. The government need to make a scheme of work where homeless people can use homeless shelters, hostels as their address to enable them to work. Looking at half od them I can't see them working anytime soon.”

“I agree that their should be some support for shelters to provide addresses. However, the current homeless shelters aren't someone people can stay at for a long time. Normally you're allowed to stay one night, but have to leave the following morning (there are some exceptions, such as vulnerable/pregnant women). There aren't enough of the shelters, and they are mostly not government supported so there money comes entirely from charity.”

“I agree with that Martin, the homeless can use a local shelter just as a place to pick-up mail or use to gain employment. They do not have to stay there but go in once or twice a week to check for mail etc.”

“How very humane City_10...would you also like them to have their benefits in vouchers so that you know one in front of you in a queue at your local supermarket is down on their luck??? Ohhh look at that person having to pay in their benefit vouchers?? How very English :)”

“I wouldn't mind at all...”

“Very good idea :)”

“Thanks Zoo, who knows it might happen?”

“The government will sort out all these benefits be reducing them and making people take work soon. I support that, no one should have a life without working at all!”

“Supporting such things as Christian Aid, which helps feed the hungry and other religious charities are great ways of helping and supporting people. Food banks are very popular now, give a bit, take a bit.”

“That is a great idea as well City10.

Times are hard for working people, I hope this government can turn in around for the better.”