Police today released pictures of suspects they want to identify in Brighton and Hove's war on graffiti taggers.

Vandals behind four graffiti tags - win, honk, NT! Mr Jerk and a red W design - are the top targets.

City centre manager Tony Mernagh said: "A recent crime survey by Brighton and Hove City Council showed graffiti increased people's fear of crime.

"This is a huge issue for this city. Daubings have a very significant effect on people, especially visitors."

Mr Mernagh said daubings were down but the mess was eroding people's quality of life.

He said graffiti in the North Laine area had fallen by 50 per cent and there was a slight decrease in the city centre.

He said: "I'm not sure whether we will ever totally eradicate the problem but we are winning the war and will carry on fighting."

Police are working with Mr Mernagh's City Centre Business Forum, the North Laine Traders' Association and The Lanes Traders' Association in an effort to stamp out graffiti.

PC Ian McPherson, of Brighton police, has been tracking prolific graffiti vandals since last year.

He has come close to catching them and is asking the public for help.

One hot spot is Bond Street Row, off Bond Street, where garage doors are targeted.

Chris Reddall, who owns the buildings and runs the Reprographic Centre in Bond Street, said: "These people are a pain in the neck and they don't do the city any favours.

"It just encourages people to toss rubbish around and the sooner the problem is sorted out the better."

Anyone with information about any of the culprits should call PC McPherson on 0845 6070999.