Brighton and Hove police have pledged to continue their clampdown on street begging indefinitely.

Over the last four months officers have adopted a tough stance on begging in St James's Street and the city centre.

Beggars have been warned and moved on or, in more serious cases, arrested.

Brighton's 42 community beat officers will spend part of their patrol time targeting graffiti, begging, drunks and drug dealers in an initiative dubbed Safer Streets, Superintendent Andy Bliss said: "The central area of Brighton is used by virtually everyone who visits or lives or works in the city. Offences like this detract from their quality of life.

"Understandably people feel concerned when they see drunks or drug dealers in the street or beggars by cash machines.

"We are determined to make the city safer. This initiative will involve firm but sensitive policing and we shall be working closely with Brighton and Hove Council and the various homelessness and substance misuse agencies to achieve this."

The force plans a major recruitment drive for volunteer special constables who would work alongside beat officers.

Anyone interested should contact Adrian Rutherford on 0845 6070999.