Following the concerns of residents at Portslade with regard to the vandalism and bad behaviour in their local park and other areas and the very lukewarm response by the police and council, surely it is time a mobile warden patrol was introduced to tour and protect our open spaces and parks on the edges of Brighton and Hove?

This would primarily be needed at evenings, weekends and school holidays, although it is recognised many of the trouble-makers are older than 16. The days of the park-keepers have gone but a mobile patrol could easily be contacted on a special phone number set up for the purpose. Brighton and Hove City Council already employs security firms for various purposes.

Access to our outlying areas of Portslade, Patcham, Woodingdean is now quick by the A27 bypass and action could then be taken against those responsible for the vandalism, hooliganism and illegal off-road motor cycling that makes life a misery for residents and children trying to use their local recreation areas.

The police are very rarely seen in these areas at the times needed and telephone calls to their call centres are a waste of time. Warden patrols could be on the scene quickly without need for police back-up unless they considered it necessary. A ban from the areas concerned by all miscreants caught, with the threat of possible police action, would assist considerably in treating this problem.

-Mrs E Young, Ladies Mile Road, Patcham