I read with great interest the story "Police crack down on street villains" (The Argus, December 5).

Then, reading on, I saw the police have launched "Operation Frosty", described as a pre-Christmas crackdown on shoplifters, drunks, beggars and thieves.

Oh, goody - does that really mean policemen will be seen walking the streets?

I just wonder, will people recognise who these uniformed people are?

I am sure readers were grateful for the photograph in The Argus, which will be an aid to their recognition.

Maybe the divisional commander at Brighton should be reminded that shoplifters, drunks, beggars and thieves operate on the streets of Brighton and Hove all through the year, not just at Christmas.

Why the publicity at this time? Brighton and Hove taxpayers and shopkeepers don't pay their rates just at Christmas-time and should expect a good level of policing throughout the year.

This has been missing for many years.

I accept there have been changes during the past few years with regard to policing in the city and that Sussex Police have had their fair share of problems but the original idea of the police was for the protection of property and the prevention and detection of crime.

That applies all year.

Every year, we have special "Christmas blitzes" on various aspects of criminal activity but why advertise it, as with "Operation Frosty"? Just do it - why do they need to tell the criminals?

-David Rowland, Harvest Close, Telscombe Cliffs