I have the greatest sympathy for Karl Collard, the trader who is subjected to daily confrontations with drug dealers and users on Brighton seafront (The Argus, Sept 3).

I regularly attend Riptide gym on the beach and have noticed the increase in drug dealing and use over the past year.

Although Brighton police claim to be pursuing an aggressive policy against any such activity, the reality is far from this.

All too often I come across drug dealing being carried out in the open or am myself approached by drug dealers, which is an intimidating experience.

I am angry that such activity is deemed permissible.

The problem isn't restricted to the dealers themselves but also to the users and hangers on they attract, with fights an all too common occurance, often only feet away from the traders or families out for a walk.

I believe the police are unconcerned because the seafront walk is out of sight from the main road.

Token attempts to patrol the area are met by laughter from the dealers who simply return a few minutes later to carry on as if nothing has happened.

Early closing of the subway beneath the Odeon simply forced the dealers out on to the beach.

If any positive steps are to be taken, then the CCTV needs to be upgraded with a better field of vision as it does not cover the area adequately.

Simply pointing cameras up West street is not going to solve the problem.

Brighton seafront is one of our major tourist attractions. So it seems ironic that the police allow it to decay into the mess that it has become.

-S Howard, Peacehaven