I am a 15-year-old schoolgirl who has spent most of my life growing up in Brighton.

I have come to the conclusion that, "glam" as Brighton used to be and cosmopolitan as it has always been considered, I dislike living here.

The next years of my teenage life should be all about schoolwork, having nights out on the town and generally being happy. I cannot do this because of the state to which Brighton has now sunk.

Friday nights and Saturday nights are supposed to be great fun, clubbing with friends, having a laugh and having memories to talk about during the next week's boring lessons of maths and science. It's never going to happen.

It all started when my brother's very close friend was murdered last year in the early hours of a Friday night. Everyone who knew him was devastated and still can't quite get over the fact an innocent soul has been taken.

That sudden death has now put a downside on life. I no longer want to stay out late, be by myself or trust anyone who walks past me in the street.

What has happened to people being civil, having manners and not scaring the willies off everyone?

All I see are great big mobs of gormless, spotty teenage boys who walk around in packs, staring menacingly and shouting abuse at anyone who passes them by. This happens in a supposedly nice residential area of Brighton.

When is Brighton going to clean up its act and get its good reputation back? Perhaps, then, some of the crime figures might be brought down.

It's so sad life has resulted in this mess, where everything results in violence and abuse.

-Name and address supplied