HAVING read PR Willey's recent letters regarding the cleanliness of the streets of York, it sounds very much like he is defending his colleagues and himself for no reason. He is quite right that there are certain people in society who would probably be more at home living in a pigsty - my words, not his - and it is these, dare I call them people, that need bringing to book.

I see the street cleaners around the Front Street area of Acomb in the early hours of the morning while riding to work, and a good job they do. The frustration must be in the fact that it will be the same tomorrow, created by the same pie-munching morons.

What happened to the York Pride initiative employing wardens to hand out fines to the perpetrators? They seem to be as rare as the Golden Eagle, for I can honestly say I have never spotted one yet, as is the same with any feedback as to how much has been gathered in fines.

Conclusion, the cleaners of York do a fine job, some of its residents need educating.

Bob Waite, Windmill Rise, York A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "The council has been able to issue fines to people dropping litter since 2004. More than 50 £50 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) have been issued by the council's Street Environment team since then. The team has also been working with schools to educate children about litter management.

"The Government has recently introduced new legislation which will enable local authorities to issue PCNs for a range of environmental offences, and the council is looking at introducing additional fines as part of the new street cleaning service - the Neighbourhood Pride initiative - that will be launched in December.

"The initiative should also bring about real improvements in the cleanliness of the city's streets. But this will only be successful with the co-operation of local residents and visitors."