The free-party scene undoubtedly exists mainly because of dissatisfaction with the greedy, cartel-run alternatives available to those wishing to enjoy the dance music culture. These people were at the recent party in Woodingdean to enjoy in natural surroundings a gathering of like-minded people. Even the mob who stupidly vandalised the police cars had not gone there to cause criminal damage, for, if that was the case, why would they go to a deserted, unused field miles from anywhere?

The people organising the party were there to provide entertainment and had gone to great expense, trouble and risk to do so. They did not ask for admission fees or, indeed, anything in return but the satisfaction of providing a good time for like-minded people.

The event was sited far outside earshot of local residents. The "damage" done to the field was a worn patch of grass about nine metres square. All the rubbish from the event was meticulously cleared from the area. And despite several newspapers' assertions, there were many people present who weren't "off their heads on drugs".

Consider the alternatives. Brighton's licensed clubs charge a fortune at the door, the bar and even the cloakroom, to queue for an hour, stay in filthy, overcrowded conditions surrounded by abusive staff and poor sound systems for three hours.

The relevant law (the Criminal Justice Act) states these parties are identifiable as illegal because they have music with repetitive beats and a gathering of more than six people in one place.

I'm not hoping for any sort of revolution. All I hope is to improve the public understanding of these events, the vast majority of which cause harm to no one and provide a friendly, sociable evening for many like-minded people who are anything but criminals.

-Chris Preager, Hendon Street, Brighton