There could hardly be a better person to attend an event at Hove Town Hall last night than Nick Ross.

He has achieved national fame as the presenter of the BBC's Crimewatch programme, which has achieved enviable success in tracking down villains.

Organisers of the Brighton and Hove Anti-Victimisation Initiative may have considered it a coup to gain his services.

But it seems less sweet when we learn that his fee for making an appearance at the event was £5,000.

TV personalities are perfectly entitled to cash in on their fame by charging a commercial fee when they appear for big business.

But this initiative is not being undertaken for profit. It's a joint project among many organisations in the city to reduce the number of victims.

Nick Ross's fee is outrageous for a short night's work.