WHEN the Greens took control of the council four years ago, one of them hoped Brighton and Hove would become a city of protest.

His wish was fulfilled and it is hard to think of any centre outside London hosting more demonstrations than the city by the sea.

Demonstrations are part of democracy and most of us cherish our right to parade peacefully on the streets whenever we feel strongly about a cause.

But as with many other facets of democracy, protests need careful handling to make sure they are not dangerously disruptive.

A march by several hundred people protesting against some abuse is fine even if it does hold up traffic for a while.

But when it turns violent, frightening people and causing damage or injury, then it has gone too far.

The march last weekend, ostensibly in favour of ‘free’ education, was a classic example of what can go wrong.

Many among the crowd of about 500 were more interested in causing mayhem than persuading people that students should not have to pay tuition fees.

There were scores of them intent on closing city centre businesses alleged to be tax dodging and opposing police brutality.

There are many folk in Brighton and Hove who agree that students should not be asked to pay large sums. I am among them although I would also halve the number of students so that only those with real ability are accepted.

Nearly everyone dislikes corporate tax dodging and police brutality is hardly a popular cause. But the weekend marchers will have found few friends.

Some were plainly prepared for trouble with masks and makeshift barricades.

They frightened ordinary shoppers, including children, who had come for festive fun.

They caused disruption to traffic and trade on one of the year’s busiest shopping days.

The effects were felt throughout the city as buses were badly delayed and cars could not get through.

Although offences were clearly being committed, police made no arrests, presumably to counter any allegations of brutality.

But the angry and threatening scenes lasting a long time will have put off many people from shopping in Brighton.

Despite a lack of serious damage, the event was far removed from the Christmas spirit most people had wanted.

It was ironic that the protest took place on a day designed to promote small businesses. No business will have benefited from what went on last weekend. Brighton and Hove has seen demonstrations by anarchic groups opposed to capitalism. There are other protests with an international flavour against the policies of Israel and opposing Britain’s policies in the Middle East.

The annual March for England and inevitable counter protests by anti-fascists have caused huge disruption and have cost local people millions of pounds in policing them.

In addition to these protests, businesses and shoppers face more delays and disruption with events such as the London to Brighton bike ride and Pride.

The right to protest needs to be balanced against the right of people to go about their business peacefully and the right of shops to trade.

This could result in swift action against any attempt by protesters to cause violence and rerouting some marches so that they cause less havoc.

There are too many demonstrators interested in fighting rather than fairness. They should not be surprised when they are stopped even if they describe any action against them as brutality.

The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, was there at the start welcoming the marchers.

She will see students as vital in her attempt to be re-elected next year. But she must have known that the march was, at the very least, certain to cause chaos.

Caroline Lucas, like some other Greens, should be careful of the company she keeps.

Many other constituents whose day was disrupted will not favour her backing for an event which brought the city to a standstill.