Both Henry Page and your editorial comment (The Argus, May 4) are right that ordinary members of the public going about their daily lives in Newhaven or elsewhere need reassurance that "the authorities" are doing everything possible to deal with anti-social behaviour.

What is wrong is to give the impression that there are large numbers of young people in Newhaven causing these problems. The vast majority are not.

Newhaven is a stable community with many families having lived here for several generations. Others have moved here for positive reasons such as the wonderful setting between the Downs and the sea or because they see the potential of the regeneration programme.

The serious trouble-makers could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand. Their names are known to the police, to other members of the crime and disorder reduction partnership and to many local residents, including their victims.

Lewes District Council evicted one such household only three weeks ago, much to the relief of those neighbours whom they had been terrorising.

Like those who have suffered from continuing acts of totally unacceptable behaviour, including criminal damage and public place violence, police officers want to see a result from the evidence they have gathered and the offenders they have caught.

In these cases, magistrates should grant the anti-social behaviour orders which are clearly justified.

Reporting restrictions on naming and shaming only serve to support and shield perpetrators, not provide that essential reassurance to the victims and the wider community.

-David Rogers, Newhaven's county councillor