It was with interest I read the brief item about the number of rough sleepers found on the streets of Brighton and Hove (The Argus, February 21).

The Argus has, over the last few months, been generous in its support and coverage of the quest to keep St Patrick's night shelter open, despite the acknowledged concerns about the quality of service provided to people who are homeless.

It is interesting how that sympathetic coverage compares with the headline of the above article, "City dosser count rises".

The work carried out by the Crime Reduction Initiative's rough sleeper's street services team, as well as by hostels, treatment services and day centres, has lead to a reduction of more than 75 per cent in the number of people sleeping rough in the city.

The number of rough sleepers found last Thursday was nine, as reported, which is below both the central Government and Brighton and Hove City Council target.

This is something which should be celebrated.

Rough sleepers and homeless people often suffer a complex range of health and social problems.

Argus readers have clearly demonstrated understanding of and empathy towards the plight of this vulnerable section of our community through letters to this page.

To refer to rough sleepers as "dossers" reflects poorly on your paper and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the work undertaken and the individuals involved.

-Mike Pattinson, director, Crime Reduction Initiatives