To step out of your front door on a Sunday and be met by a dozen police officers combing the street for evidence of a crime may sound a little bizarre to some.

But if you live in the vicinity of St James's Street in Brighton, you would greet the occurrence with a wry smile. And that's exactly what happened two weeks ago.

Later in the day, the television burst forth with the news that two men had been shot and another stabbed - drugs related naturally.

The Argus, as usual, gave excellent coverage, telling us that a South London gang had moved into Brighton. Well, I bet the senior police officers, who only last September faced an angry mob of residents at a meeting in the Dorset Gardens church hall on this very subject, are wringing their hands nervously.

They promised us unequivocally a crackdown like we had never seen to clean up the streets. I'm sure they must be wondering where it all went horribly wrong. One answer could be that they're not up to the job.

In my letter after the meeting (September 15), I wrote: "The drunks and the junkies are here to stay. There are no safe streets any more, so get used to it."

To this Ken Bodfish (Letters, September 17) replied: "We have to face the problem that there are people who have difficulties with drugs and alcohol."

It's gone way beyond difficulties, Councillor Bodfish. It's turning into a bloodbath out there and the people are getting more frightened by the day.

What are you going to do about it?

-Bill Grant, Devonshire Place, Brighton