I was somewhat saddened last week to find my ten-year-old daughter upset and frustrated.

She had been the victim of pickpockets. The amount stolen was £25, quite a large sum to a child.

She had gone out excitedly, planning her sales purchases, along with the rest of the city, no doubt.

The Gadget Shop in Brighton's Churchill Square was crowded and she was jostled.

The purse was taken from her jeans' front pocket. Security personnel advised us to report the incident to the police, which we did.

It seems the police are aware of the problem and that children, particularly, are being targeted.

It is a sad reflection that during the season of goodwill the thieves should choose children to be their benefactors.

-Ken Beales, Goldstone Road, Hove