A DAMNING letter claiming a town centre street harbouring criminals is blighting 'a decent family area' is being investigated by police.

Drug dealers, terrorist thugs and prostitutes are some of the 'undesirables' the anonymous letter alleges have moved to Central Slough.

The letter headed 'Beware' is addressed to all residents of Herschel Street and surrounding area with the heading 'Undesirables have moved to your area'.

A concerned resident sent a copy of the letter to The Observer. We then brought it to the attention of Thames Valley Police, sparking an investigation.

A police spokeswoman said: "The information has been passed on to our local intelligence team to develop and local patrol officers are now aware of the letter should any further letters be delivered to residents of the streets initially affected." The man behind the letter, who ends the four-page rant 'Thank God I am out off here now', claims his family was harassed, intimidated and threatened by the criminals.

He includes a list of addresses and details of crimes he claims to have witnessed.

The letter reads: "These people have turned a decent family street into a criminal area not fit to live in. Stand up to the tyrants as a community and don't be intimidated by these foreign criminals as community you are strong united." Residents have expressed mixed views about the mail shot. Michael O'Loughlin, lives next door to one of the homes listed as a drugs den. He said: "The poor lady who lives there has got a young son and is a polite and nice person, and she is certainly not involved in any drug dealings.

"I don't know what goes on at some of the other addresses but it's a quiet street and I know nearly all my neighbours, and I, wouldn't suspect any of them being involved in illegal activity.

"It's pretty outrageous." A resident living yards away from the road, which has allegedly become a hub for criminal activity, said: "It's disgraceful. I know these thing go on, but you don't expect it to be happening on your doorstep.

"It doesn't surprise me because you see trouble here all the time and we quite often have to call the police. It's quite distressing because there are young families living here."