Pubs and clubs in Eastbourne have been given amnesty boxes in a bid to reduce violent and drug-related crime.

The boxes will be fixed to the walls of pubs and clubs and signs displayed to encourage customers to leave drugs, knives and other weapons in the secure units with no questions asked.

Garry Clark, licensing officer for Eastbourne police, said: "They have all now been issued with the boxes and they will be fixed to the wall and then once that's done we get the keys to unlock them.

"They have been a huge success in Manchester and the bigger cities and they have worked well. It's all part of the bigger picture to combat violent crime. If we take one knife off the streets then it's worth it."

Police officers alone will be given access to the boxes and will empty them once a month.

Drugs and weapons left in the boxes will be destroyed.

Metal detectors will also be available to pubs and clubs as part of the scheme.

Gerry Quinn, manager of Wetherspoons pub, said: "I think it's a very progressive move and we have every confidence it will be a success. It's an extra piece of armoury."