After receiving a parking ticket for having the nerve to park my car outside my own house on a single yellow line in a residential area for 30 minutes the day after Boxing Day, I couldn't help but feel saddened at the contempt our authorities seem to hold for the people living in Brighton and Hove.

Since I was a child in the Eighties, I have simply never seen a policeman or woman on the beat, nor have I ever seen a street sweeper on the litter-strewn and dog-fouled streets where I live in Preston Village. Yet dare I "illegally" park my car, I can expect a traffic warden to appear within, quite literally, minutes to issue me with my extra tax invoice.

Perhaps when our financially excitable council realises fining dog foulers, graffiti artists and litter droppers is also a way in which to generate extra revenue, I can expect other perpetrators of social crimes that really do blight the quality of our lives in our city to be fined too. Then, perhaps, we will all see our streets really clean - not just of "illegally" parked cars but of everything.

Oh, and by the way, Brighton and Hove City Council, I know you weren't thinking of doing it anyway but don't worry about coming round to Preston Village to clean our streets. I've done it myself, twice. Can I come round to your offices to fine you for your crime?

-Kate Guy, Clermont Road, Brighton