Interesting to read the comments about the disgusting state of the beach after the hordes have left. Why should we be surprised?

Nobody seems to catch on to the fact that for 30 or 40 years, since the “do gooders” and PC brigade took over and the word “discipline” was removed from the English language, we now have two generations of people, the vast majority of who could not care less about anybody else, who have no respect for themselves or anybody else and, if challenged about their appalling behaviour, will quote “their human rights to do as they please”, whether or not that inconveniences or affects anybody else.

Selfishness is all they know and likewise it’s always “somebody else’s fault” if they are inconvenienced in any way.

Furthermore, there is a considerable percentage of them with little or no intelligence, or ability to take notice of warning signs so that our over-stretched “rescue” services are summoned to save them from dire consequences.

And that’s ignoring our skilled and hardworking paramedics having to drag drunkards off the beach, some of who may also be suffering from the heat of the day.

I could go on about the crazy world we live in and our nanny state bordering on “communism”.

We have a litigious society and do not have “freedom of speech” as it used to be, while we appear to have generations of people who have to rely on being told what to do and be careful about this, that or the other – mostly things which are obvious to the rest of us.

The one thing we do know, and we see evidence of this every day, is the rules in regard to the coronavirus lockdown do not apply to everyone – certainly not to the masses congregating on the beach.

I can sympathise fully with the despair (if that’s the right word) as expressed by the chief of the Palace Pier which prompted me to write this to you in the first place. And as for having to use the services of a caring, willing band of volunteers to clear up the mess in Brighton – good for them, but why should it be necessary?

I grew up in Hove during WW2 and afterwards up to 1970 and, comparing the environment and conditions we enjoyed over that period and what it is like now, I’m glad we don’t live there any more.

John Griffiths

Address supplied