Police in Brighton and Hove have launched a blitz on an area known as Drugs Alley.

Boundary Passage, which marks the divide between Brighton and Hove, is a regular haunt for dealers and is often littered with needles and other drug paraphernalia.

The crackdown not only takes in the narrow passage which runs from Western Road to Lansdowne Road but also nearby Montpelier Road, Vernon Terrace and Norfolk Square.

The operation was launched after consultation with residents and businesses, including Waitrose supermarket and the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company.

Chief Inspector Lisa Pearcey, city centre police commander, has enlisted every police department to help step-up high-profile patrols and arrests.

Brighton and Hove City Council is joining in with a clean-up programme which includes cutting back bushes and foliage in the alley and sweeping the area clean.

Even civilian police staff who use force vehicles are deliberately drivingthrough the area to increase the perceived police presence.

Regular patrols have been increased and, Miss Pearcey said, trainee officers are "cutting their teeth" in the area along with police cadets.

She said: "Traffic officers and other force unit officers are taking a proactive approach, stopping and checking people and, when necessary, making arrests.

"Some officers are concentrating on the buses issue, stopping drivers who ignore the ban on private vehicles in Western Road.

"We now want members of the public to help by supplying us with information and by reporting anything suspicious they see immediately.

"We have spoken to people and businesses and the city council about what the problems are and now we are taking action.

"We are determined to make an impact and to those involved in drug dealing or any other criminal activity be warned - we will be making arrests."

She urged anyone with information on suspects to call Brighton and Hove police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.