Bogus racist letters being sent out in South Somerset

PEOPLE are being warned that bogus council-written letters – which are ‘extremely racist’ - are being distributed to residents in Yeovil and South Somerset stating homeless people will be moved into the empty part of their homes.

South Somerset District Council has been made aware that potentially some residents have had letters claiming to be from the authority stating that homeless people will be moving into their part empty or private house to alleviate the homelessness crisis.

But a council spokesman said: “These letters are not from South Somerset District Council.”

The content of the letter says that a homeless family will be moved into your home and states you will no longer be eligible for a three-bedroom house unless you go ahead with this scheme.

The letters appear to have the South Somerset District Council logo on it along with the Bympton Way Offices address and are signed by a Paul Tidbury, Director of South Somerset District Council. The letter is also extremely offensive to black and minority ethnic groups.

The council spokesman added: “We would like to make residents aware that we do not send this type of letter, nor do we intend on sending this type of letter. We also do not have a Paul Tidbury working at the authority.”

If you receive a letter of this type and are concerned, please contact South Somerset District Council immediately on 01935-462462 for clarification.

Council leader, Cllr Ric Pallister, added: “If this was intended as a joke, it is very bad taste and has the potential to cause distress and anger to residents receiving it. We utterly condemn this sort of stupid misrepresentation of the council and its employees.

“The serious racial overtone is both illegal and unacceptable to the council and legal action will be taken if the perpetrator is identified.”

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