I was deeply disappointed to read about the letter from the police to the licensing committee asking the Hilton Metropole Hotel to inform them if gipsies or travellers booked an event (The Argus, June 8).

Apparently, when the officer was challenged, he said he was only "trying to be helpful". He appeared unaware he had acted incorrectly.

Some individuals from all groups may well misbehave but it is those individuals who should be targetted, not the whole group.

No one can be barred on the grounds of race or ethnic identity and gipsies and travellers are included in the Race Relations Act.

Moreover, it is the duty of public bodies to promote positive race relations.

This action demonstrates not only lack of awareness on the part of the individual officer but suggests institutionalised racism in our local police force.

I was surprised as several of those who advocate a better deal for gipsies and travellers at both regional and national level are ex-police officers.

Their detailed knowledge of how travellers are pushed from pillar to post has led them to understand their difficulties and to press for proper provision.

Between 2,500 and 4,000 more sites are needed nationally to accommodate the 25 per cent of the 300,000 travellers in England and Wales - statistically, minute numbers - who have nowhere to stop.

At present, both West and East Sussex provide a number of sites but Brighton and Hove only has Horsdean, which was designed for and is used by new age travellers.

The city has no official permanent or transit sites for gipsies and travellers but, with a little goodwill, the situation could be resolved quickly. A letter such as that sent to the licensing committee only exacerbates bad feeling and fuels racism.

-Councillor Juliet McCaffery, Brighton and Hove City Council