Dedicated beach bobbies are being drafted in to keep drug dealers and illegal traders at bay this summer.

Six police officers have been assigned to tackle drugs, antisocial behaviour and illegal trading on the seafront at Brighton and Hove.

Last year, drug gangs made the stretch between the piers a no-go area after dark. Pub and caf owners were forced to close early as the dealers took over.

The officers will start work on Tuesday, May 4, although some illegal traders are already being caught in the act.

Chief Inspector Lance Gray, central Brighton police commander, warned: "We are starting early in the season to nip any problems in the bud.

"The six officers, split into two teams for day and evening shifts, will be in addition to our regular seafront patrols.

"They are enthusiastic and dedicated to tackling anyone who misbehaves or commits crime.

"They are part of a package of measures being run in conjunction with our partners, the city council and local traders.

"Parts of the package will not be visible to the public and I can't go into detail but anyone stepping out of line will feel the effects.

"This is not a one-sided effort to protect traders or any other segment of society but a drive to improve community safety and the quality of life on the seafront.

"That said, this is based on intelligence reports from many traders and we have thought hard about the right action we should take."

A Seafront Local Action Team (Slat) was recently formed to step up efforts to make Brighton beach safer before the summer season begins.

Members want a hassle-free, rubbish-free environment for tourists.

Chairwoman Mel Heath, 37, co-owner of The Boardwalk restaurant, said: "Last year people got away with murder and this year it has already started.

"We must ensure it doesn't get even worse.

"As traders, we decided to develop the seafront so it's not all fish and chips and kiss-me-quick booths.

"The problem is that attracting more people inevitably brings more trouble."

She said illegal trading and crime put people off from coming back to Brighton.

She said: "We want people to come down to Brighton and have a nice experience.

"No one likes to be hassled. But when one person gets away with it, others follow.

"I know people down here are not happy with it and it affects people's business."

The police will have powers to issue antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) and to stop repeat offenders from going down to the seafront.

Inspector Steve Barry said: "Over the winter we police the town in proportion to where people live and work and we spread our resources across the city, depending on hotspots.

"It is very clear that in the summer the hotspot is always going to be along the seafront.

"We have decided this year to have a dedicated team so we can prevent problems before they arise."

A council spokeswoman said trading licences were only granted for a limited area by the West Pier.

She said: "A certain number are handed out and the money goes to the West Pier Trust.

"But we do know that it goes on and try to move people off as quickly as possible.

"We take illegal traders very seriously."

John Inch, manager of the Gemini bar on the seafront, experienced problems last year with drug dealers using the wall around his bar area as a meeting place for deals.

Fights often broke out among rival gangs with weapons in front of young children and families.

Mr Inch said: "We opened up again after the winter a month ago and there has been a fantastic difference compared with last year.

"It's difficult to know what is keeping them away but the police have obviously done something."

He said when the first dealers appeared near his bar about a month ago the police immediately swooped on them and took them away to be searched.

He said: "We spoke to a couple of the dealers and they said a few of them had been served with ASBOs which had put some of them off. I think it has spread by word of mouth, so fingers crossed it will carry on like this."