I wish to express concern at the manner in which Sussex Police chose to handle the protest against the weapons components factory EDO/MDM in central Brighton on Saturday.

Police were in attendance at Churchill Square before the protest against this company began, yet claim they were not informed it was to take place.

It's a shame other council tax-payers do not receive such value for money when they report burglaries. Some police officers appeared visibly embarrassed by their orders to shove protesters into a side street, while another was less shy when it came to pushing an elderly lady.

The decision to scramble a helicopter and deploy well over 50 police, including some with Alsatians, for a core group of perhaps 20-25 peaceful protesters was laughable.

The presence of police intelligence units filming all and sundry heightened the intimidatory atmosphere.

In addition to the arrest of an 80-year-old man, a 17-year-old girl was randomly arrested despite her obvious distress at the aggressive police actions.

Thanks to my participation in Saturday's protest I now have a clearer idea of where my council tax payments go.

-James Stephenson, Brighton