14 OCTOBER 1989, Page 32

Hungry clubman?

Sir: Auberon Waugh (Another voice, 23 September) believes that his views on the need for drugs to be 'decriminalised', as the only way to undermine the criminal industries to which they have given rise, will only gain wider acceptance when mugging for drug money has spread from places like Tottenham to, e.g., central London. Earlier this year, I was myself held up at knife-point in St James's Park at 7.30 in the evening by an individual pre- sumably so engaged — even though, to my courteous inquiry about his motive, he replied 'bloody hunger'. Although the man only got my small change, I am inclined to believe that Mr Waugh's forebodings are already upon us.

Neville Beale

Chelsea Manor Street, London SW3