Police have warned Croydon's pubs and clubs against playing hip-hop music because of the troublesome clientele they claim the music attracts.

Some venues have been asked to reconsider their music policy and as part of an on-going operation police will speak to pubs and clubs if the music they are playing "attracts undesirables".

They said they would also encourage them not to play music that has been linked by some to crime.

Chief Inspector David Clayton said: "There is a proven and historical association with certain types of clubs and music with violence and if that type of music is not played in Croydon then that's positive for the borough."

Sergeant Chris Gould, licensing officer for Croydon Police, added: "If a premises is identified as causing a problem I will look at operations and make a suggestion to them about how they can improve matters."

Samit Patel, an 18-year-old student from Thornton Heath, bemoaned the lack of hip-hop, RnB and garage music in bars and clubs. He and his friends believe it is driving fans away from Croydon.

He said: "I'm sick and tired because there's not much going on in Croydon and I am forced to go into London to hear my favourite music.

"London is expensive, especially the cost of getting home, and you end up having to change your plans."

The Coulsdon College student added: "Me and my friends used to go Edwards in High Street every week but there was violence and everyone was forced away. The bar manager said he was told to stop playing the music."

Tova Roberts, assistant manager at Edward's, which is a former Best Bar None winner, said: "The licensing officer decided that due to the many problems we were having and the violence which was largely down to the music we played and the people we attracted, he would enforce a no RnB policy.

"That emptied us overnight. From a business perspective we were very disappointed but personally I never liked the atmosphere or the attitude.

"There was an element of violence here but you can't blame trouble on one thing. I think we were penalised to make an example of."

Sgt Gould said Edward's decided to change its music policy after violence at the club became a regular feature and that they were not forced to do so by police.

"We said they had a particular problem and it was their decision to change the music policy," he added "They recognised that music can have a detrimental effect on crime and disorder and they didn't want to be associated with it.

"It would be nice to think that we had so much control over licensed premises to decide what music they play. If I had my choice I'd see that they only played The Beatles or The Who but I don't."

Conservative Party leader David Cameron recently accused the BBC of encouraging knife and gun crime by playing violent rap music on some radio shows.

Thornton Heath music producer Neil Fraser, who is known as the Mad Professor, also blasted the corporation for playing violent gangsta' rap music.

Mr Fraser said "white liberals and irresponsible blacks" at the BBC were brainwashing youngsters.

Sgt Gould said: "We do a huge amount of work behind the scenes to make sure people can come into Croydon safely."

But Samit said violence would always occur, no matter what music was being played.

"I did see some fights at Edward's but if violence is going to happen, it's going to happen even if they're playing funky house music, which is what everyone in Croydon is playing.

"I understand there are certain types of music that encourage violence. Edward's played some underground music then stopped. It attracted a mixed crowd and that's the thing everyone liked about Edward's.

"I would like to see Croydon turned into something more. I've heard it wants city status and city clubs and bars cater for all music tastes."

Police said there is a range of music to suit all tastes in Croydon but new establishments are not choosing to play the more underground' styles.