We wish the best of luck to Pastor Andrew Colthart who says he has come to Swindon to tackle the town's drug and crime problems.

He seems to have much experience and his intentions are no doubt admirable.

But while no-one would doubt the town does have a drug problem which needs addressing, many people would take issue with some of his comments, including the suggestion that Swindon is a very "meaty town" rife with "drugs and ex-cons".

What Swindon needs right now, as councillor Steve Allsopp points out, is proper investment of time and money.

It is not a problem that church organisations should tackle alone. It is an issue that affects us all and requires a combined, targeted approach by a number of organisations.

Let us hope that Pastor Colthart's mission in Swindon meets with success. If it brings hope to those with none, then that can only be a good thing.

But there is no answer in any short term measures. Any effort to tackle drug problems needs long term planning.