CLLR David Smith’s contention that unelected magistrates are out of touch (Letters, March 2) does seem strange when if I recall, it was the council that employed an outside agency to present a report on how the town centre could be improved in the light of so many complaints by local residents.

The town centre is unsafe at night. Another foreign student has been beaten up last week.

That the report could only find one cafe of any merit (Flirt), despite its defining character being bright red plastic chairs, is something that is obvious to a great many of us. The problem Cllr Smith is too many late night licensed premises and late night food kiosks, all of whom I believe were granted their licenses by the council, of which you are a member.

GEOFF COOPER, Methuen Road, Bournemouth