Amsterdam to crack down on sex and drug culture

Amsterdam has unveiled plans for a major cleanup of its ancient city centre, including shutting up to half of its famed brothels and marijuana cafes.

Amsterdam has unveiled plans for a major change of its ancient city centre, including shutting up to half of its famed brothels and marijuana cafes.

The city says it wants to thwart organised crime, and it is targeting businesses that "generate criminality" including prostitution, gambling parlours, "smart shops" which sell herbal treatments, head shops and "coffee shops" where marijuana is sold openly.