Drug and weapons amnesty boxes in bid to tackle crime

Metal detectors will also be used by door staff to check people for knives, guns and other weapons. Drinkers and clubbers will be given the opportunity to hand in any weapons into the amnesty boxes before being searched. After that, people discovered with drugs and weapons on them will be handed over to the police.

Various pub and club owners and staff are being trained on the equipment at the moment, and many will have them installed in the next fortnight.

They include Yates' Wine Lodge, Bar Moda, Heroes, the Marina Pavilion, the Havelock, Fluid, Denny's and Club XS.

The scheme has been developed by Daniel Gibbin, Pub Watch co-ordinator for Town Centre Management and funded by Sussex Police and Hastings Council to the tune of 3,000. It is hoped the scheme, which is part of the Safer Streets initiative, will be expanded to include all late opening premises in the town centre.

Mr Gibbin: "This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when all sides get together to tackle the minority that wish to spoil decent people's leisure time."

Chief Inspector, Ken Taylor, said: "Hastings Police supports any initiative which helps tackle public place violent crime which is one of our top priorities. Initiatives like this I believe will help a wider base of people to be encouraged to come and enjoy their town in the evening."