A letter was left on a rough sleeper’s bedding in Kingston last week saying their personal effects would be “disposed of” after Monday, January 15.

Nobody knows who left it, and people are very eager to find out.

Surrey Comet: The letter

It read: “To whom it may concern,

“You are on private property without the permission of the owner.

“If you remain after Monday, January 18 […] any personal effects that you leave may be disposed of.

“If you need any help with accommodation please contact:

“Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, St Peter’s Church Hall, London Road.

“The general telephone number, which can be used to contact all staff, is 02082557400.

“They are open 10am to 1pm Monday and Friday.

“Alternatively, contact RBK Outreach workers on 03005000914.”

The letter was left in the covered path between All Saints Church and Eden Walk.

Eden Walk confirmed it did not leave the letter, as it has no ownership of Cloisters Mall- the path in question.

The council is not aware of who wrote the letter either.

Kingston Councillor Jon Tolley said he was “not sure what the answer on this is, but can’t help but feel this isn’t”.

Cllr Tolley wrote his own reply and left it in the path.

Surrey Comet: Cllr Tolley's response 

It read: “No-one should be taking anyone’s bedding, without the permission of the owner.

“If you’re bedding is taken from you after January 15 […] remember there are people who care who will help sort you out.”

He refers to Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness as “excellent” and adds: “But no one should have their bedding ‘disposed of’.

“As your local councillor I’ll work to stop this happening.

“But if this was to happen, come to Banquet Records around the corner and we’ll have a spuds and go get some more bedding.”

Responses from the public to the anonymous letter range from anger, to outrage, to pointing out that the space is private property- but most say taking bedding is a step too far.

Cllr Tolley spoke to the Surrey Comet: “It just seems wrong to me.

“What a strange thing that it wasn’t from anyone and was so unnecessarily harsh.

“I know it’s a difficult situation and sometimes property owners need to move people on but to threaten to remove their bedding is an inhumane way to deal with it.

“We’ve also found out that no one has the right to take the bedding.”

Do you know who wrote the letter? Contact: grainne.cuffe@newsquest.co.uk