Further to David Radtke's letter (July 22), the problems experienced in Brighton by St James's Street traders and residents are indeed on a par with those experienced by Norfolk Square traders and residents.

I have lived in the area for 16 years and the past four have seen a steady increase in aggressive, anti-social behaviour.

Whereas the Square used to be frequented by elderly alcoholics, it has now become a playground for the habitual drug user - so much so it is fast becoming referred to as "Smack Square".

Police presence in and around Norfolk Square has increased since residents' meetings with the local council and police have been inaugurated but the regular offenders are still there day after day.

The police seem powerless to move them on. A blanket ban on street drinking begins in August but, as with St James's Street, it is pointless if not enforced and will not alleviate drug-related problems.

The greatest worry for Norfolk Square residents is the presence of St Patrick's Church in Cambridge Road.

While the homeless are offered a bed for the night, they are sent out from early in the morning into the local community with nothing to do.

The vast majority simply hang around the area, beginning their drinking, drug taking and aggressive begging.

Surely it is time to delve deeper into the roots of the problems faced by everyone in areas such as St James's Street and Norfolk Square?

A radical rethink is needed as to where the homeless hostels, rehabilitation and drop-in centres should be located. Brighton and Hove is awash with anti-social behaviour and it is time for residents and traders to unite to bring a halt to the misery brought to the majority of hard-working city dwellers by a reckless minority.

As one Norfolk Square resident suggested at a recent meeting, "zero tolerance" following the example of New York City, is possibly the only way to deal with this.

-Elizabeth Turner, Brighton