A stabbing has spurred police to adopt new powers to move on people acting antisocially across a huge section of Brighton and Hove.

The city council and Sussex Police agreed the section 30 powers so officers can move on groups in the city centre.

It comes after a number of violent incidents in the city during the past few weeks, including stabbings, sexual assaults and fights.

A police spokeswoman said the stabbing in the Royal Pavilion gardens on Saturday was the incident that prompted the action.

Sergeant Dave Palmer, of the neighbourhood policing team, said: “This dispersal zone will help us to combat antisocial behaviour where large groups of people are setting out to cause problems and commit crimes in the area.

“It is not designed to target residents or visitors, but is to make the area more pleasant for those who live, work and visit.”

The dispersal area covers a large part of the city centre including the seafront and lower promenade.

The zone also takes in Preston Street, Upper North Street, North Road, Grand Parade, Edward Street, Upper Rock Gardens and all areas south to Lower Rock gardens and from Marine Parade to Dukes Mound.

Sgt Palmer said: “It will help the immediate problems antisocial behaviour can cause and help stop any intimidation, violence, drinking, drug taking, fights, noise or urinating.”

The order has been prompted after a man was stabbed in the early hours of last Saturday morning after a fight between two groups in the Pavilion Gardens.

He was taken to hospital with a puncture wound to his back and eight people were arrested before being bailed.

In September, a 60-year-old was sexually assaulted in the park and in July someone set fire to the toilets.

Elsewhere in the dispersal zone, police recently announced extra patrols at Dukes Mound following a rise in reports of sexual acts during the day.

In August, a man was stabbed in the neck in the early hours of the morning in Castle Square, Brighton.

The order will be available to officers until October 20. Both regular police and PCSOs can use the powers to move on groups of two or more. They can ask them not to return for up to 24 hours.

The powers have been used in Worthing and Eastbourne in recent years.