The following is an open letter from Sussex chief constable Ken Jones.

"I follow the letters column of your paper with great interest and would like to thank your readers for taking the time to write.

"Some letters are very supportive and others are from readers who feel we are not doing enough.

"We listen and will continue to do all we can to improve our service; the people of our vibrant city deserve no less.

"When I was appointed I said I would make changes, changes designed to take policing back into neighbourhoods whilst working better with business and the council.

"In recent times the police, council, business and Brighton and Hove people have worked together and made some real improvements.

"Since my appointment, we have seen: An additional 35 police officers, 20 new police community support officers, of which Brighton and Hove City Council has generously funded ten to help make streets and neighbourhoods safer and five additional police support staff.

"This vital extra staffing has paid dividends.

"For example, compared to this time last year, we now have: 5.2 per cent reduction in overall crime, 692 fewer victims, nine per cent reduction in public place violence, 152 fewer victims, 2.5 per cent reduction in vehicle crime and a 37.3 per cent increase in car criminals caught, a record 1,015 wrongdoers arrested on the streets of Brighton and Hove in July alone, a substantial neighbourhood policing team now based at Hollingbury, local policing now fully restored to Hove with direct accountability to a District Commander and local action teams forming in some neighbourhoods to drive local policing activities.

"In addition and through working with our partners, we have achieved: Extended high visibility patrols at city hot spots to deal with anti-social behaviour and drug offenders, Night Safe radio network linking the police and city centre traders, co-ordination with transport operators to improve passenger security (which has led to a 20 per cent uptake in use of night time buses to quickly disperse revellers from the city centre) and the introduction, with council support, of a city-wide aggravated behaviour street-drinking ban.

"The ban has already had a positive impact in several areas including Pavilion Gardens and Norfolk Square. In conjunction with the council we are dealing with people whose behaviour is unacceptable through the use of anti-social behaviour orders. There are 24 orders being obtained, with more being progressed.

"We are also working with the licensing trade by training door staff and carrying out joint visits with trading standards and environmental health officers.

"We have used drugs detection dogs to stem the illegal trade within our pubs and clubs.

"This operation has so far led to more than 50 arrests for a variety of offences.

"We have obtained more central Government funds to support neighbourhood renewal.

"Like other major UK cities, Brighton and Hove sadly attracts its share of people intent on crime and disorder. These people are being confronted by your police and more than 1,000 offenders and suspects were arrested last month alone.

"Many other organisations are playing their part, changing our streets, entertainments and public spaces to make it harder for the tiny minority of wrongdoers.

"Making Brighton and Hove into the vibrant city that it deserves to be is a team effort.

"The blue line may be thin but it is strong.

"It is getting stronger thanks to our active supporters who stand alongside us in our determination to make our city safer."