THE Argus regularly publishes items about crime in our areas, but let's take just one edition, Wednesday, August 14.    

Page four, "Man threatens to firebomb hair salon", following a "family", going in demanding an appointment. Can't get one, so "we'll firebomb your salon, and also kick your baby out of your stomach?"  Jesus Christ, what sort of demented individual says that?

Page five, "Burglars chased by heroic neighbours".  Page seven, "Yob will take fifteen years to pay off court debts", this follows yet another court appearance for this so called man. 

Already with a string of 44 convictions, 80 offences, yet the judiciary felt that "Any further fine would be pointless with the amount he already owes"?? So he is seen with a smug look on his face outside the court after walking free yet again. 

What's the matter with a five year prison sentence then?

Also on page seven, a suspected gunman is bailed? Wonder how long he'll stay in the area... 

Page nine, a man who supplied drugs to two others, and was then found unconscious with them, is bailed.

And  yet another yob beats a man unconscious, smashes doors and windows of three businesses, and gets a suspended 16 week sentence, so he too walks free?

The fines he got will probably take again, fifteen years to be paid!

Each edition of the Argus features so many stories of crimes committed, it seems it is all getting more prolific.

Of course it does; we have so many less police on the streets to combat these figures, and these criminals know exactly that. 

My wife and I went to the cinema in West Street last week, left after the performance about ten in the evening, and made our way to the car park near Churchill Square.

That walk up West Street, was for me, let alone my Wife, a really frightening experience.

Beggars shouting at us for money, rough sleepers against walls and in doorways,  a young youth lying on the pavement/kerb area covered in vomit and singing something;  a youth standing in a doorway urinating, with it all running across the pavement,  large crowds of young men and women, mostly obviously the worse for wear, shouting and screaming,... and somewhat worrying, was the sight of many of these "women" who were so obviously only young kids of school age... litter everywhere and I mean lots of it,  it was like something from the apocalypse.

I was born and bred around Brighton and Hove, was a Teddy Boy in the early sixties, have seen and too, been involved in a few minor fights on a Saturday outside the Regent, but it was all so much less back then, as opposed to Brighton today  and I have never felt as vulnerable as I did last week.

I am a Forces Veteran, have experienced fire fights, explosions, and seen death;  but Never again; keep Brighton at night, it is too damned dangerous, no matter what age you are.

George Mower,

Hove