Officers will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in Norwich to tackle street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Police say they will carry out patrols in the area of Prince of Wales Road near Norwich city centre on Monday.

The road has been considered a crime hotspot by the force following a series of recent incidents, including a stabbing in July.

The patrols taking place are part of the £1million Op Focus initiative, which was launched in May.

The initiative focuses on reducing crime in specific hotspots, such as areas in Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

Police say these areas in Norwich include: Prince of Wales Road, Tombland, Gas Hill, the train station, Rosary Road, Anglia Square, Exchange Street, the Market, Norwich bus stations and Greyfriars Road.

The force added that hotspot areas in Great Yarmouth include: The Conge, Market Place, Middle Marker, King Street, York Road, Middlegate, Marine Parade, Albert Square, Mill Road, Portland Wharf and Purley Court.

Police say hotspots in Norwich and Great Yarmouth accounted for 16.54% of street-level serious crimes between January 2019 and December 2023.

Chief Inspector Ed Brown, based at Bethel Street police station and leading the Op Focus project, said: “Exceptional policing is about protecting the vulnerable and keeping people safe, as well as trying to prevent and disrupt criminality.

“We routinely target antisocial behaviour because we know how much this impacts on the quality of life for residents and businesses.

“Communities feel reassured by seeing officers out and about on patrol, and we try to be as visible as possible. It sends a message that the behaviour isn’t acceptable and won’t be tolerated.

"The intensification week and the additional funding gives us the opportunity to enhance our existing patrols and focus resources in an area where we know there are issues with street drinking and other antisocial behaviour."