Amsterdam city council is considering using decoys posing as tourists in an effort to reduce the nuisance caused by drug dealers in the city centre, according to local broadcaster AT5.

The broadcaster says tourists on the Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein, where much of the city’s nightlife is centred, are hassled by aggressive dealers at night. Cafe and bar owners are also calling for action.

Although the city council admits there is a problem, it does say the number of street dealers has declined, AT5 said. Nevertheless, the option of using decoys to trap dealers is under consideration.

Since 2011, some 1,200 people are arrested every year for dealing in the city centre.

In 2014, there were 390 arrests in connection with hard drugs, up from 238 in 2013. Last year, several tourists died after taking what they thought was cocaine which they had bought on the street.