WHAT a dreadful indictment of our society that a man can lie dead in his house for seven weeks without anyone noticing.

This might not have seemed extraordinary at all if it had happened in London, Bristol, or even Swindon but in Devizes?

A town that prides itself on its community spirit should be ashamed that someone, even a loner, could vanish without any of his neighbours noticing.

Sadly this is an all too familiar tale. Do we not live in a country now where our old folk are at constant peril from doorstep conmen?

This week a spate of calls by bogus water board workmen results in six pensioners losing their savings, pensions and treasured possessions. All of these raids were made under the noses of neighbours. It shows we need to look out for each other.