A new campaign called "Smile! You're on CCTV" has been launched in a bid to reduce crime in Brighton and Hove.

Window stickers, posters and 20,000 beer mats are being circulated to remind people that violence or any illegal acts may be captured on camera.

The campaign extends beyond the police network of 54 police cameras and includes those used in shops involved in the Retail Crime Initiative, Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, nightclubs and pubs.

The campaign is aimed at making would-be offenders think twice before committing crimes.

Among the initiatives are beer mats which carry the warning: "Prison food doesn't agree with Lee. He celebrated his 18th birthday in Brighton with friends. He got drunk, had an argument that got out of hand, he'll be celebrating his 19th inside."

There have been big reductions in burglaries and car crime in the city over the last year but acts of violence are up 4.2 per cent and robberies have increased 8.5 per cent.

Police in the city reported in March how acts of violence were running at 400 a month.

Hugh Marriage, the Government's crime reduction director for the South-East, said he was particularly worried by an increase in "stranger" violence, attacks on people in pubs and streets.

Police have made tackling violence a top priority and they hope the campaign will help.

Superintendent Peter Coll said:"The idea is to raise awareness and increase crime prevention.

"But don't get us wrong. We want people to have fun. The city is lively, vibrant and all about enjoyment.

"We just want to remain safe so beware, we are watching. Be sensible."

Terry Davies, business crime manager for the Brighton City Centre Business Forum, said the business community was working closely with police, youth offending teams, car parks, British Transport Police and hospitals.

He said criminals knew no boundaries. Many of those causing trouble in the city were often involved in shoplifting and drugs.

The forum was in the process of launching a new computer system which would allow retailers to check photographs of offenders on a file as soon as a suspect walked into their shop or store.