A crackdown on drink-fuelled bad behaviour and violence in Tenby has been announced by police.

Extra constables will be on daytime duty on Saturdays until the end of August and officers will be at the town’s railway station to offer advice to visitors on staying out of trouble.

The Operation Lion scheme has been brought in to ‘ensure that Tenby is a safe place for residents and visitors to enjoy’, said Inspector Mark McSweeney.

He added: “However, members of the public must also take responsibility for their own actions and take measures to stay safe and not commit offences.

“Whilst there is not a big problem with alcohol-related violence, I know that as the town centre gets busier during the summer, the number of incidents increases.

Two recent Saturdays in Tenby have seen issues with anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol, involving large groups of people, and it is to address problems of this kind that the extra officers have been brought in, starting their duties last Saturday.

Inspector McSweeney has met with licensees and the licensing authority to ensure that the message reaches the right places.

He added: “I would also like to encourage local people to contact police if they are concerned about anti-social behaviour activity, and assure the public that I am monitoring all reports.

“I want to encourage people to come to the town centre as it is a lively and vibrant place to be.

“We must consider the needs of our residents, shopkeepers and visitors - especially those with young families and the elderly.

Licensee Doug Waters, of the Buccaneer Inn, said that his establishment and others in the resort were working closely with the police to cut down on anti-social behaviour in the town.

He added: “Part of the message is that we won’t welcome or tolerate groups of idiots looking to cause trouble in the town, we just want to create a nice atmosphere for people to enjoy themselves in Tenby.”