How intelligent is it of The Argus to detract all attention of a pioneering new project by focusing simply on Nick Ross' fee (Argus, April 5)?

The Anti-Victimisation Initiative (AVI) has been set up by the police and community groups to focus on those victims of crime who are too often excluded from agencies which should be helping the whole community.

Gay men are routinely assaulted on St James's Street, yet only 20 incidents of "queer bashing" are reported each year, according to Sussex Police, because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at the moment don't feel anyone will take them seriously.

Surely we should be supporting this? At Sussex University, we have students from all backgrounds and violence and intimidation, even on campus, does occur. We are pleased the council and police are making positive moves in this direction.

As your article went on to say, part of the £1.2 million of Home Office money for the AVI is for publicity, of which Nick Ross' fee was but one part. The launch was, in contrast to The Argus article, professional and intelligent.

Nick Ross was present for about three hours, talking about the project and compering the show in front of hundreds of locals.

I think Brighton and Hove got its money's worth. He reduced his fee for this event but cannot continue doing community events for nothing.

The AVI will now get on with making a sea-change in community attitudes towards crime and the benefits of the project will be felt long after this storm in a teacup has died out.

-Benedict Brook, communications officer, University of Sussex Students' Union