Police have been deployed with surveillance cameras to crack down on street drinkers and yobs.

Young people in particular are being targeted by the officers in CCTV vans as part of Operation Blitz.

A huge stash of more than 1,000 bottles and cans have already been seized from illegal drinkers in Eastbourne in the first part of the operation.

Now more people are being invited to take part in the scheme and report antisocial behaviour.

Inspector Tony Wakefield, of Sussex Police, said, "Initiatives like these are a key part of our strategy to clamp down on antisocial behaviour in local communities so that people feel safer in their homes and neighbourhood.

"Those who persist in street drinking will be made subject of acceptable behaviour agreements and ultimately antisocial behaviour orders."

Parts of Eastbourne are among the most affected by crime in Sussex.

Devonshire is second highest on a league table of wards affected by violent crime, with 1,827 offences between 2004 and 2006.

The ward is also third highest on the list of overall crime rates with 7,065 recorded offences in the same period.

Operation Blitz has started in an effort to find long term solutions to those problems and extra funding is now being pumped into the scheme, which has been running since November 2006.

A spokesman for Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership, which is leading the operation, said: "Officers will deal robustly with any young people behaving in an antisocial way or drinking alcohol.

"Letters will be sent to parents of any offending young people. If a young person receives a third letter they will be invited to attend a meeting with the police to receive an acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) which will lay out conditions to address their behaviour.

"It is significantly reducing the amount of anti-social behaviour on the streets of Eastbourne.

"Over 1000 containers of alcohol have been seized from minors, 170 letters have been sent home to parents and guardians, 14 motor scooters have been dealt with, eight arrests have been made and six penalty notices have been issued."

Anybody can apply to become a member of the operation and if successful will be given mobile numbers of officers to report crime or help collate intelligence.

For more details and to join call Crime Prevention Officer, Patricia Pybous, on 01323 414103.

Have you been a victim of yobs? Visit our Crime in the Community pages at www.theargus.co.uk/crime