ON November 5, Lewes is normally the best place to be in the world but in recent years, the town has become more and more like a police state.

The night is intended to celebrate the freedoms which we have fought for over the centuries and fun is poked at figures who seek to curtail them.

So the "zero-tolerance" approach to policing the event seems badly out of place - and a lot of it seems to cause more problems than it prevents.

Why the obsession with blocking off so many of the town's roads? Surely this just creates more of a crush in the busiest areas.

Many residents were not even allowed to walk down their own streets.

"But my front door is there", I heard one say to an officer, pointing to his house ten metres away on the other side of a pointless steel barrier.

"You'll still have to go around like everyone else, sir," came the reply.

I normally stick up for the police when they are facing criticism but this is one night when I think they go out of their way to make themselves look stupid.

Because the majority of officers are not from Lewes, they are also unable to give directions to the public.

When I was young, I remember being able to stand with a sparkler or pick up a torch after a procession had passed.

Now, the crowd is subjected to tedious public announcements over the tannoy.

While I can understand Lewes gets crowded on bonfire night and there are health and safety issues to be considered, the police response was still over-the-top and can be counter-productive.

How about giving us some of our freedoms back and letting us enjoy our town's celebrations?

-M Richmond, Lewes