I was recently the victim of an unprovoked attack involving the unattended minor of a family, east of the Palace Pier.

Their young child was hurling missiles at me, which he had collected from the beach, but his guardians had no intention of arresting his loutish behaviour. In fact, although I was some distance away, I am confident some members of the family were amused by the attack.

I have resided in this dilapidated, yet eternally elegant, resort for 14 years and take pleasure in regular constitutionals along the less crowded of the local beaches.

I am well aware Brighton depends on its tourists for revenue and am happy to say, most of the time, these visitors are contained between the two piers and the Meeting Place cafe.

I realise we cannot legislate against people bringing their children on to public beaches.

But several years ago, naturists were given their own section of beach.

There should be a similar safe space where single gentlemen, who wish, like myself, to keep their clothes on, can stroll or sit and meditate on the horizon, without being victimised by the overwhelming culture of day-tripping families and their legion of undisciplined and anti-social progeny. I applaud Brighton and Hove City Council for going as far as taking a stand against canine trespassers.

And, having been a teacher, I can see the educational and physical benefits of allowing a youngster to have the freedom to explore the open space, as so many are born in tower blocks and rarely get to see even a tree. However, I feel the time has come to take a stand.

The council must legislate in favour of those citizens who are now under siege from refugees of the Greater London sprawl. We must keep some of our public spaces sacred.

-Professor R Baker, Brighton