Troublemakers who blight a night out for the thousands of clubbers who descend on Norwich every weekend will have a new anti-tolerance message spelled out to them in pubs and bars across the city.

Troublemakers who blight a night out for the thousands of clubbers who descend on Norwich every weekend will have a new anti-tolerance message spelled out to them in pubs and bars across the city.

Hard-hitting posters make it clear that that police will take a hard line against those who indulge in unruly behaviour such as underage drinking, urinating in the street, fighting and drug-taking.

The striking black and yellow posters also provide reassurance for the law-abiding majority and assure pub and club-goers that they can expect high-visibility police patrols; trained door staff; a safe environment in bars and clubs; CCTV cameras and immediate action on any unacceptable behaviour.

They were yesterday put up around venues in Riverside and Prince of Wales Road and at the city's bus and railway stations.

Chief Insp Kevin Clarke, who is behind the campaign, said Norwich was a safe place to go on a night out but police did not want to become complacent about reduced levels of crime.

“Over the years we've made huge strides to reduce the number of assaults in the city centre,” he explained.

“The idea behind what we are doing now is to appeal to the small minority of people who come here to display anti-social behaviour that upsets the vast majority of people who come out to enjoy Norwich's vibrant nightlife.

“The posters set out what is unacceptable and what they can expect to see in return.”

“We have in recent months carried out a range of work addressing all the elements of crime and anti-social behaviour that we want to drive down.

“This work has been extremely successful and we have seen a drop in alcohol-related violence but we can never be complacent and we now want to use these posters to reinforce the standards of behaviour we have

been working with our partners to uphold.”

Reports of assaults that resulted in injury in the Prince of Wales Road and Riverside area on Friday and Saturday evenings have fallen from a high of 141 offences in 2003 to 107 in 2004, 101 in 2005 and just 31 up to the end of August, 2006.

The police credit the improvement to the efforts and commitment of a range of people including Norwich City Centre Licensing Forum bringing together city centre residents, licensees, police officers and Norwich City Council staff, with the contribution from door supervisors who are regulated by the Security Industry Authority and the SOS Bus volunteer crew.