Businesses call for more security in Kemp Town (From The Argus)

Businesses call for more security in Kemp Town

1:01pm Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Business News By John Keenan, business editor

 LGBT activists are calling for security to be beefed up in the wake of a brutal city centre attack.

Two teenagers were arrested after a man was left fighting for his life following an attack in St James’s Street, Brighton.

The 18 and 17yearolds were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm following the attack on a 36yearold man in the early hours of Friday.

The pair were questioned before being released on bail until January 8 while inquiries continue.

The victim is still in a critical condition at Hurstwood Park Neurosciences Centre in Haywards Heath.

Community activist and chairman of the LGBT Community Safety Forum Chris Cooke branded the St James’s Street area a no-go area. He has called for all bars and clubs in the area to either employ door staff or be signed up to a rapid response unit.

He said: “This should be in force from 7pm until the venue closes, every night of the week.

This could be enforced as part of the conditions of granting alcohol licences. The time has come to address the ongoing problems in St. James's Street.

“Clearly the area is not safe for residents, businesses and visitors alike, in fact over the last 18 months it has at times been downright dangerous.

“Not a week goes by without a serious incident. No longer can we say it’s quirky and bohemian – the street is a mess. It is dirty and the daily rat run of beggars, street drinkers and people just out to cause trouble.”

Ben Duncan, the chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing committee, said: “The law requires us to consider all licence applications on their individual merits and does not allow us to predetermine the conditions attached to any of them.

“Many bars in the area are operating under existing licences, which we can’t alter unless existing arrangements are called into doubt.

“In many cases, of course, door staff are present, exactly as suggested.

“I will discuss these suggestions with lawyers and licensing officers at the council and see if they could be the subject of any future review of the way our city’s Cumulative Impact Zone works.”