The Brighton Aids Memorial has been vandalised overnight for the second time in a month.

Posters were stuck to the Portland stone base of the memorial during the night.

The posters were torn down this morning by Council staff but this second act of vandalism highlights a marked increase in anti-social behaviour in New Stein Gardens since the council removed one of the gates to the garden area.

Local businessman Johan van der Merwe who lives overlooking New Steine Gardens where the Aids Memorial is situated, said in an email to the council:
"This situation is getting rediculous. The AIDS Memorial was again vandalised last night. May I suggest that you get back the contractor that you paid a huge sum of money to, to solder the gate shut today, and have the locks serviced so that we can start locking the gates from tonight."

Founder of the Aids Memorial Lib Dem Cllr Paul Elgood said:
"The Aids Memorial is clearly at risk and becoming a target for vandalism.

"The gate needs to be reinstated immediately to stop this damage and I hope the Police continue to be vigilant.

"The Aids Memorial has been such a boost to the area, I hope the closing of the gate can be done as a matter of urgency now."

Last week Chris Cooke the prospective Labour candidate for Queens Park called for the gate to the gardens to be replaced following a marked increase in anti-social behaviour in the area:
www.gscene.com/news/Calls_Grow_To_Replace_The_Gates_To_New_Steine.shtml

A spokesperson for the council said:
"The gate has been damaged and has been taken away for repair and replacement. It should be back in place very soon."