Police patrols are being stepped up on Brighton beach to combat seafront crime ahead of the summer.

The increased presence of uniformed officers and the reappearance of a mountain bike squad will be central to securing public safety as the city gears up for the annual influx of thousands of tourists.

Chief Inspector Lance Grey, district commander for central Brighton and in charge of policing on the beach, said: "We will increase policing on the beach from April because we want to set the tone early on in the season.

"It is a virtual neighbourhood on the beach and last summer we created a team of officers for the seafront to provide consistency."

Police on mountain bikes were introduced on to Brighton beach last summer, following increasing problems with drugs on the seafront. Dealers were forced to quit the beach as they became recognised by police officers, while sniffer dogs were also used to drive out criminals.

The tunnel running from the beach to the bottom of West Street was closed off and remains shut after traders reported growing numbers of drug dealers approaching people at its entrance.

Mr Grey said: "We have closed the tunnel off for a trial period to see whether the loss of amenity is a bigger problem than the drug dealers it had come to attract.

"It was becoming a recipe for disaster and rip-offs but any enforcement action has to sit in a context of a package of measures with other partners and agencies from the seafront."

Made up of police, Brighton and Hove City Council officers and business leaders, the Seafront Action Team meets regularly to discuss safety on Brighton beach.

Traders are bidding for Government funding to improve lighting between the two piers, arguing the development will improve business by encouraging later shoppers and curbing crime.

Tuesday March 8, 2005