At the anti-war demonstration that took place in Brighton last Thursday, the behaviour of the police was unacceptable.

I witnessed peaceful protesters sitting in the road being clubbed and sprayed in the eyes with pepper spray.

When these sprays were first issued to police officers, a strong emphasis was placed on the fact they were only to used for self-defence.

In this situation, the spray was clearly being used to cause pain and distress to people committing minor offences and posing no threat to anyone.

Using violence against another person is illegal, even when committed by a police officer. Some of the attacking police did not have their identification numbers visible on their shoulders, which is also illegal and makes it impossible to complain about an individual's behaviour.

I had always thought the role of the police was to uphold the law and protect citizens from harm. When officers blatantly break the law and assault members of the public, it makes a mockery of everything the police force represents.

-Eddie Blair, Springfield Road, Brighton