They're more used to dealing with hardened criminals than tanked-up tennis players.

But police are gearing up to serve another ace against anti-social behaviour at  Norfolk's Wimbledon-by-the-Sea.

Almost 1,000 players are set to take part in the Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament, which kicks off on Sunday, August 18.

Previous events have been marred by bad behaviour off the court, with groups of youths descending on nearby villages to party.

Matters came to a head in 2022, after drunken yobs laid siege to nearby Brancaster.

Ugly scenes involving up to 300 teenagers prompted an apology from tournament organisers, while police stepped up their response during last year's event, which passed off peacefully.

Sgt Adam Hughes, local policing team sergeant for Hunstanton, said extra officers would be drafted in for this year's week-long event, to mount overnight patrols around surrounding villages.

"We were really pleased that any disruption for local people was kept to a minimum in 2023 and we saw a significant drop in reports compared to previous years," he said.

"Our aim in 2024, as always, is to ensure that those taking part in the event are educated effectively around what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour. Any issues that do happen will be dealt with quickly and fairly."

West Norfolk Council will also be deploying CCTV cameras around the area.

Organisers have previously appealed to parents to take responsibility for young players' behaviour - although many troublemakers are suspected to be hangers-on not taking part in the tennis, who join players staying in holiday lets. 

The tournament, which began in the 1920s, is believed to be the UK's biggest of its kind.

Its website warns: "Players shall, at all times, both on and off the court, conduct themselves in a manner that reflects favourably on the game, themselves and the tournament.

"This also applies to behaviour, not only on the Recreation Ground, but also in the town and surrounding villages, on public transport and in rented accommodation."