The news that Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison is to be moved on from policing central Brighton was like a kick in the teeth to residents, traders and community safety leaders from the St James Street area, who have been working tirelessly with Brighton and Hove City Council and the police to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.

His pro-active, can-do approach was a breath of fresh air and his policing tactics seemed to produce positive results.

We despair at the apparent lack of a long-term strategy shown by Sussex Police. It would seem only political embarrassment ever seems to achieve results.

When faced with bad press, a short-term purge on St James Street has an immediate and noticeable effect, which keeps criticism at bay for a while.

There is never time to build up a strong working relationship with senior officers as they are moved on in seemingly endless organisational change.

The majority of decent people living, working and running businesses in the area of St James deserve better than this.

Much has been done in the last few years to improve the area by way of self-help from the community, private investment and council and European funding.

Despite this, the level of antisocial behaviour, violent crime and general filth and squalor in a prime tourist area of this city remains an acute embarrassment to those of us struggling to improve and promote the area.

Mr Harrison gave us hope that things would improve. His quasi-promotion leaves a black hole.

-David Radtke, The Tin Drum, Kemp Town