I can confirm that local communities are used as tools for Eurofraud. Those who cooperate are well rewarded while those who do not are victimised to the full. I agree that the police are part of this, not just the local bobby, who is instructed to keep his mouth closed, but also at the top. This corruption has a good hold upon us, so much so that unless there are serious mistakes made by those involved, they will never be found out.

Much of this corruption is related to the quest for power – from the social services down through the system to local committees. I was once threatened by David Blunkett but this was swept under the carpet. I have myself been a victim because I opened my mouth. There are many more victims. There are also many who do not want to get involved with these local committees.

Some local committees are as bad as the Mafia in their actions. Since the very first time I spoke out against the abuse of funds some ten years ago, I have had so much trouble that it is beyond belief. The first sign of trouble was at Kelvin Flats in 1983. Since that day I have been run off the road and nearly died as a result. Six months later I was mugged and beaten up whilst leaving the community centre. Six months after that I was the victim of a serious stabbing incident. Around the same time I was accused of abusing a child, though at the time this was supposed to have occurred the youth was in a cell at the local police station. He later told me that he had been asked to sign a statement saying that I had touched his leg.

I started getting harassment from the social services, my former daughter-in-law and her criminal (ex-convict) husband became a party to this. I was dragged through the courts and I was fully vindicated. But the police officer involved gave papers to the local forum to use against me. This he did very proficiently. I have been burgled several times and on each occasion the police did not bother to turn up until several hours later.

I have received threats from the police, I have received threats from the chair of the forum and I have had my windows and my security system wrecked. I have been branded a pervert despite having clearly proved that I am not. I have been burgled recently but I no longer report such occurrences to the police. They seem to be able to make me feel that I am the criminal. I have recently received nasty phone calls and warnings not to attend local meetings. I was recently robbed of £2,000. But I no longer intend to report anything to the police.

Just like Brian Wilson, I too am afraid. He was driven to the grave through all of this. I am under stress and have even considered taking my own life. I have been driven to apply for bankruptcy and have reported what is happening to those who govern these committees within the council. They do not care. I asked to join a management committee but within just four days of making enquiries about joining I received threats not to.

I have lost my faith now. I will not get involved with any committee, even though I believe that I have much to offer to my community and there are those who would encourage me to get involved. I fear for my safety. The worst time of my life has been the last four years and I have been made very ill because of all of this. Now I just want to live in peace and not be tempted to open my mouth.

Fraud and corruption have become a way of life now. It is done openly, constitutions are written which even allow this to happen. Those of us who speak out have no protection. We are made out to be criminal or dysfunctional, or even unfit to live within the community. Those with power brandish the whip. They themselves are protected.

But who will protect the victims?

Yours sincerely,

Anthony Rodgers

Sheffield

South Yorkshire, England