Having read the letter from Michael Bowen (August 3) about the Powerboat P1 Grand Prix, I am obliged to comment on the selective facts provided by the person he spoke to.

There is no doubt the powerboat event has great potential for this city, which relies to a large extent on such attractions and the people and money they bring. However, all such events are commercial and need to make money for the promoters, organisers and stars involved, as well as the city.

I work with skilled representatives from many agencies to ensure that Brighton and Hove hosts suitable, safe and professional events. The powerboat event was first raised in the multi-agency arena only about five weeks prior to the event.

The main reasons that many agencies including Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council requested a minimal advertisement strategy for this event were:

1. The event organisers agreed this was a "dry run" for a bigger event next year.

2. They had no funds available to fund facilities for the public, for example, grandstands, toilets, food provision and stewarding. They had no ability to make an investment on which to get a return.

3. On the timescale provided, there was insufficient time to plan an event to cater for thousands of spectators.

On this basis, the comments provided to Mr Bowen were hardly the full story. The resulting problems were evidenced by the many Marina residents I had to speak to, who were upset that their walk from their home to the city was lengthened by a couple of hundred yards due to this event.

Mr Bowen then comments about the Big Beach Boutique event held in 2002. He is correct that all the agencies involved in city events (statutory, blue light and private) have learnt serious lessons from that day.

No one is saying that Norman Cook will not play in the open air in Brighton again. In fact, it has already been suggested that it may be possible in 2005, provided planning starts early enough and a safe location and transport strategy can be agreed.

If the city centre is envisaged to be free of cars, the transport infrastructure needs significant development, and the approach roads in outer zones need to carry increased loads to properly designed and built parking areas and suitable events locations. These should include (in my personal view) a new stadium for football and events.

We do not have this situation at present. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that our reputation as an event centre is not doomed forever at a public inquiry such as could have been faced, were it not for the valiant efforts of 300 professionals on July 13, 2002.

Our partners in the council and elsewhere are committed to running good, safe events in the city. This is demonstrated by the very successful Stella Artois Beach Movies attended by 30,000 people the same weekend as the Powerboat event (with only one reported injury) and by the nil arrest rate at Withdean last season.

I have submitted a report suggesting a safety advisory group to assist in managing events and integrating them within plans for overall city development.

With more time to plan, it is envisaged that a bigger Powerboat P1 GP will return next year and thereafter, with full public facilities.

-Inspector Kevin Claxton, planning and events unit, Brighton and Hove Division, Sussex Police