The reply to my letter by Chief Supt Jeremy Paine (January 18) misses the point entirely and shows just how out of touch the police are.

Why do empty police vehicles clog up the bus bays at Brighton Station, preventing innocent citizens from catching their bus home?

Why can't they be parked in the station car park or in Queens Road like the rail replacement buses?

Why can't we have the 24-hour bobby back at the Clock Tower and Churchill Square? Surely this is not a significant drain on resources? The positive effect on incidents and on the relationship with the public was incalculable.

Why did one of his officers tell me to "eff off or be arrested"?

Mr Paine says "a significant proportion of resources are used to police Friday and Saturday nights".

I would be interested to know exactly where these resources are deployed, as I have never seen any.

Statements about a "club-free city" and that "a broader range of entertainment would be better" are irrelevant and beyond his remit.

If Mr Paine had been threatened on a Friday and Saturday and told to "eff off" by a policeman, how would he feel?

-Tony Booker, Brighton