Eight arrests have been made in a police clampdown on drug and alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour in the west of Norwich city centre.

Police from West Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) carried out patrols in the Mulberry Close and Westwick Street areas, and arrests were made for offences including theft, possession of drugs, carrying a bladed article, assault, burglary and criminal damage. Alcohol was also seized and disposed of and five people were given words of advice.

The clampdown comes after the problems were made a neighbourhood priority in October and follows on from the team's actions over the summer to clampdown on alcohol misuse, parking and camping along the river area.

The SNT and partner agencies are also looking at improving signs in the area to underline the 'No Drinking' signage and make it clearer.

A police spokesman said: 'There have also have been numerous high visibility patrols in the Chapelfield Road Park area and police also assisted local shops with crime prevention surveys and liaised with local agencies to improve relations. There have been 15 arrests during the period for shoplifting and one for criminal damage.'

New priorities agreed for the next three months by the team include tackling anti-social behaviour and traffic offences along Christchurch Road and Lime Tree Road.

Speeding motorists around the areas of Westwick Street and St Augustine's Street will also be tackled along with anti-social behaviour, including drugs and alcohol misuse as well as vandalism, in the Magdalen Street and St Georges Street areas.

People in the area can have their say on local priorities at the next SNAP meeting on Tuesday, May 10 at 7pm at St Augustine's Hall, Gildencroft, Norwich.

to contact West Centre SNT call 0845 456 4567 or email SNTWestCentre@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.

Have you got a problem with anti-social behaviour where you live? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.