Gore Lane has become a rat-run for yobs avoiding the network of CCTV cameras covering the town centre and a dumping ground for rubbish.

Used syringes were found among piles of litter and arsonists also set fire to bins behind Boots in a spate of recent attacks.

Street cleaners will tidy up the road, alleys and parking areas of Gore Lane after requests from police and firefighters, who met at the site to assess the scale of anti-social behaviour blighting the area.

The clean-up comes the day before a district council cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of demolishing the old telephone exchange in Gore Lane.

A report to the cabinet says there has been a rise in vandalism, break-ins and evidence of people sleeping rough in the "eyesore" building, which also has a problem with asbestos.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue arson reduction officer Steve Wright said: "The street becomes a rat-run on Friday and Saturday nights and there has been evidence of drug use.

"On Gore Lane there is also a problem with rubbish to the rear of the buildings.

"All it takes is a match dropped into an overflowing bin and it presents a real risk to a business."

Mr Wright said businesses are not adequately protecting their properties and Sgt Stuart Brotherton, of Spalding police, said that despite increased night-time patrols by officers, the lack of camera surveillance causes problems.

He said: "All the recipes and ingredients are there to allow crime to happen. Hopefully we can get a CCTV camera and, pending that, some improved lighting so that those offending can at least be seen."

The fire service has been putting up posters warning of arson attacks and urging people to report firestarters.

Mr Wright said: "Forty per cent of businesses which are victims of arson never re-open and we encourage owners to liaise with each other to make it harder for the offenders to access their bins."

Sgt Brotherton added: "Ideally I would like to see businesses backing onto the street to get together and install a cage in which they can keep their bins.

"Boots has already taken steps by bringing their bins indoors at night."

There were 25 incidents of arson in Spalding town centre alone last year.

Site checks are likely to happen at other hotspots, including Red Lion Street, where florists Flowers 'N' Things was gutted in an arson attack last April.