Police have been told that a trendy Brighton street has become more dangerous than parts of gangland London.

More than 100 traders and residents yesterday packed an emergency meeting called to discuss rising crime in St James Street, Kemp Town, Brighton.

Officers were accused of not doing enough to control street drinkers, aggressive beggars and violent youths who have been attacking people, damaging property and daubing graffiti.

Traders said they were having to consider selling up because crime and antisocial behaviour scared away customers and staff.

Many said they often could not be bothered to report crimes because police were typically so slow to respond.

Concerns centred on a perceived lack of police presence, insufficient enforcement of a public drinking ban, inadequate street lighting and poor control of people using drink and drug rehabilitation centres.

Acting Chief Inspector Paul Smith said he was confident the extension of the street drinking ban across Brighton and Hove this week would lead to stronger clampdowns.

Chief Inspector Lisa Pearcey, in charge of the Brighton Central area, said: "The police cannot be the only solution to these problems."

She said other vital factors were traders selling alcohol to under-age youths or known alcoholics and the treatment of people with drug and alcohol problems.

Friday September 12, 2003