LIKE everyone else I was saddened and angered by the murder of Doris Crystall. However, I must respond to the letter (last week) from Doris Crystall's friend.

I can reassure her friend that the council did not single Doris Crystall out to reduce her housing benefit. The amount of housing benefit received by any tenant (including Ms Crystall) is fixed by law, not by the council.

I can also reassure your readers that the council has not ignored the rent arrears of her killer, Stetson Matthew. It is a matter of public record that the council has a possession order to evict him for rent arrears.

In the past three months we have evicted 23 tenants for rent arrears, as many as we evicted in the past year. If someone is genuine and has difficulty in paying they should talk to us and we will work with them. But those who want to cheat and live off the hard work of others will be evicted.

CLLR ROBERTO BRUNI,

Cabinet Member for Housing,

London Borough

of Waltham Forest