A row broke out when a member of a crime prevention forum attempted to show footage of youths accused of stealing a music centre from a community centre.

As members arrived at the monthly Whitehawk Crime Prevention Forum they were confronted with a video screen and projector set up for the screening of the film.

Cameras had caught a group of youths it is claimed were involved in the theft from the Valley Social Centre, Whitehawk Way, Whitehawk, Brighton.

The screening equipment had been set up by John Commons, chairman of the Whitehawk and Manor Farm Community Association, which owns and manages the centre, who felt the issue was not being handled in the way he wanted by the police and those dealing with youth offenders.

Mr Commons said he wanted to show the forum the youths committing the crime in the hope it would prompt tough action from police. The music centre has since been recovered.

But he was told to stop the film rolling. Des Turner, Labour parliamentary candidate for Kemp Town, chairing the meeting said if showing the video could prejudice a successful prosecution it should not be shown.

Inspector Paul Smith, of Brighton Police, who was at the meeting, said the video should not be shown but added: "While we are aware that a crime has been committed, it does not always mean we have to take someone to court, we have other options."

Colin Tucker, of the Youth Offending Team for Brighton, said he would also look into the case.

Mr Turner, Insp Smith and Mr Tucker said they would discuss the case with Mr Commons who replied: "That's what I've been asking for for the last four months. But I feel at the end of the day, the people in this room have the right to see the tape and the type of law we are getting."