A newsletter is being sent to homes and businesses to help people cope with next week's Labour Party conference.

The Brighton and Hove City Council leaflet gives practical information about police security and changes to road layouts and provides contact details for questions or help.

A "ring of steel" is being built around the Brighton Centre and surrounding hotels ahead of the conference, which begins on Sunday.

More than 1,300 police officers, many of them armed, will patrol the city to deal with demonstrations and marches.

The newsletter states: "The London attacks have shown that terrorists can strike at any time and in any location. This security operation is designed to deter any attack in Brighton for the run-up and duration of the conference."

Although security experts have assessed the terrorist threat to the conference as low, the council says the eyes and ears of the public are the best weapon against terrorism.

Main conference buildings including the Brighton Centre, The Grand, The Hilton Metropole and Russell Road NCP car park will be fenced to form an island from 6pm tomorrow. Part of King's Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 7am tomorrow.

Churchill Square will be open as usual. Russell Road, behind the centre, will be closed from tomorrow as will Russell Road car park. The Metropole car park is already closed.

Residents in streets immediately north of the conference centre will need vehicle passes.

Tony Mernagh, executive director of Brighton and Hove City Centre Business Forum, praised the newsletter.

He said: "The fact the governing party can have its conference in safety is an important part of democracy. We support the police in their endeavours."

Thursday, September 22, 2005