of late-night violence is prompting gay bars to install futuristic security systems.

Two Kemp Town bars are introducing fingerprint identity checks, while others are tightening their door policies to avoid problems from late-night revellers in search of another drink.

Police and club owners say the later opening hours enjoyed by Kemp Town bars attract post-club drinkers from other parts of town.

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VaVoom in Old Steine and V2 in Steine Street are to introduce a membership card and fingerprint identity system to keep troublemakers out.

Lisa Timerick, lesbian gay bisexual and transgender community liaison officer for Sussex Police, said violent offences in and outside clubs were on the rise. She said: "Kemp Town has a lot more late-night venues.

"There are a few incidents lately where guys from other areas, West Street or wherever, are coming over. We have got a few that are from a different culture and are mixing in different circles and that might cause a few problems.

"We have also got lads that are in bigger groups and would normally be causing these problems anyway and are causing them in gay venues now."

Alan Barrett, who owns both clubs, said he had spent "several thousand pounds" installing the new equipment, which he hopes to have in place over the next few weeks.

He said his clubs had not yet experienced any problems of violence but he wanted to protect his businesses from trouble arising in the future.

He said: "I wouldn't say we have had problems but we're trying to protect our bar so it doesn't happen.

"If things are moving around from West Street to the Kemp Town area, we're trying to stop the undesirables and get the clientele we want to come.

"At the moment it's under control but what we don't want is for it to get out of control."

Mr Barrett said once the membership scheme was introduced, drinkers who did not wish to carry a card with them would have their fingerprints read, producing their picture on a computer screen.

He said: "I'm confident it's the right thing to do."

Brighton's oldest gay pub, The Bulldog in St James's Street, has cut back its late-night opening hours and is planning to improve its membership scheme and install a scanning system to check the passports or driving licences of non-members.

Manager Dale Drury stressed the measures were not being taken because of problems.

He said: "We're the only ones with a 24-hour licence. We want to be responsible. We'd rather close than be open and have problems."

PCSO Sarah Stanbridge, also a member of the LGBT liaison team, praised the bars for bringing in the tighter rules.

She said: "The whole idea is, let's stop it before it starts. They are working really well with police."

Courtesy of the Argus