Brighton is a tolerant town, which is one reason why so many minorities have chosen to settle there.

They include the largest number of lesbians and gay men on the South Coast and an increasing number of people from ethnic minorities.

But that reputation for tolerance has been blemished by an unpleasant series of attacks in recent months, some racially motivated and even more homophobic.

Unfortunately, there have also been large numbers of assaults by men against women in the sanctuary of their own homes.

There have been concerns that the police and other authorities are not doing enough to tackle these crimes or create the kind of conditions in which they are less likely to occur.

This is not entirely fair since there have been increasing efforts to liaise with the gay and ethnic minority communities but the concerns undoubtedly exist.

Now a hit squad is to be formed headed by the police but including other agencies, both statutory and voluntary.

They will not only tackle these vile crimes head-on but will also give victims the back-up they need.

Almost as important as the work done by this squad will be the message it gives out that Brighton will not tolerate these attacks in any form.