Opera to drive out junkies and drunks?

Vienna is hoping opera will succeed where police have failed in driving drug addicts and drunks out of the city's underground network.

Drug addicts and alcoholics have refused to move on from the city's main Karlsplatz underground station despite frequent police crackdowns over the years.

Local councillor Ursula Stenzel said: "We will be playing classical music, and broadcasting opera on specially installed TV screens."

She said she hoped the music would force the troublemakers to move on.

Her spokesman said: "These sort of people are not known for their love of opera and classical music, and we believe they will not hang around. Those that do might find that civilised music encourages civilised behaviour."

The social workers already working with the loiterers however are sceptical the idea will really work.