West Mercia Police are distributing the sweets as drinkers emerge from pubs and clubs in Evesham and Worcester.

The lollipops are being handed out in the hope that have a soothing effect on any aggressive members of the public.

The unusual crime reduction technique is part of Operation Presence, which aims to crack down on alcohol-related violence in the county.

Ch Insp Alan Baldwin said: "Throughout the summer we have been targeting town centres where there are incidents of alcohol-related crime and disorder.

"This operation, however, has been set up alongside our normal policing as traditionally there are more incidents of alcohol-related crime and disorder over the August Bank Holiday weekend."

Operation Presence has been staged on other bank holidays, in summer and winter.