Police officers came under a barrage of eggs and bottles as they tried to break up another anti-war protest that got out of hand in Brighton and Hove city centre.

At the same time, thousands of miles away, America was beginning its most fearsome bombing offensive against Baghdad of the war so far.

The fact that a handful of supposed peace protesters back home turned so quickly to violence themselves will disturb many - not least the majority of non-violent demonstrators.

Fortunately Friday night's protests saw no repeat of the damage costing thousands of pounds meted out to Brighton Town Hall 24 hours earlier.

The thousands who turned out in force bore witness to the strong passions and healthy public debate provoked by the conflict. Most of the demonstrators have shown themselves to be heartfelt and principled, whether one agrees with their views or not.

Unfortunately when demonstrations boil over, police are all the more likely to respond with tactics seen as heavy-handed.

It is an shame a minority of reckless hooligans felt the need to militate for peace through violence - a sad case of saying one thing, doing another.