I am one of the six teachers in charge of a German school party of 93 who stayed with Southwick families between July 17 and 21 and were subjected to violence from groups of young English people as reported (Argus, August 2).

One boy received a blow to the face, which was very swollen the next morning and another was hit on the ear.

One boy was chased through the streets of Southwick. He was terrified but luckily not caught and found his group later. Some of the girls were threatened with rape.

All this happened after the group had left the coaches at Southwick Green where they were dropped off after our daily outings.

As long as they stayed in larger groups, they were only followed, but as soon as they dispersed into smaller groups to get to their various host families they were sworn at and attacked.

You can imagine the feelings my young students developed. Most were simply afraid of going home or passing teenage English groups after 9pm. And somewhere, our English friends were waiting every night.

You will also understand teachers are held responsible for their choice of location, so now knowing what we can expect when staying in the Brighton area, we have decided not to return next year.

I am deeply disappointed and annoyed. We have been bringing school parties to England for more than 20 years and it has become more and more difficult to stay away from trouble.

I don't think it is a question of installing CCTV or increasing police patrols. It is a question of mutual understanding and respect, which has somehow been lost and needs to be re-established.

I would like to thank our host families who did their best to help and support our students and who will suffer most, at least as far as business is concerned.

-Jorg Seiler, Schweinfurt, Germany