The presence of one officer has almost wiped out crime and disorder in the heart of Brighton city centre, police said today.

The area round the Clock Tower in Brighton used to generate an average 128 calls to police every week.

There were just two calls last week and three the week before following the introduction of a fixed-post police officer for 24 hours a day.

Police stressed these were early days but the results have amazed even the sceptics.

Customers and traders have noticed a big drop in shoplifting and drunkenness and have hailed the initiative a success.

Paula Spragg, manageress of Holland and Barrett health food shop in North Street, said: "Our regular shoplifters, drunks and troublemakers have vanished."

One woman told an officer at the tower: "My daughter and I gave Brighton centre shops a miss for eight years but we're back now."

Superintendent Peter Coll, second-in-command at Brighton and Hove police, said: "We are very pleased with the results and with the response. The reduction in calls from the area means officers are free for other duties."

New high-profile patrols on Friday and Saturday nights have cut violent crime on the Lower Esplanade and in West Street.

Officers are being encouraged to travel by bus to raise their profile and foot patrol officers have been redirected to walk through car parks where drunks and beggars sometimes congregate.

Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison, in charge of policing the city centre, said: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Patrols have been stepped up in St James's Street and in one week last month police spent 175 hours pounding the beat.

Officers poured alcohol down the drain from those refusing to observe the ban on street drinking.

Five people were arrested for being drunk, two for street robbery and six for possession of drugs with intent to supply.