Britney SpearsBritney Spears‘ antics over the last year have reportedly caused paparazzi photographers to begin engaging in dangerous tactics to ensure they get exclusive pictures of the star.

The crowd of photographers following Britney has grown - and got more aggressive - since she began partying following her split from Kevin Federline in November 2006. However, a number of photo agencies have now said it’s recently risen to a whole new level.

Paparazzo Nick Stern quit his position at the Splash photo agency last month because of the increased violence. He told the New York Daily News: “I’ve heard stories of fights, of car tires being slashed, cars being blocked in.”

INF photo agency owner Chris Doherty added: “Britney Spears attracts huge numbers of photographers, and whoever muscles their way to the front gets the best picture. They’re not AP photographers wearing flak jackets, but that’s not to say they’re thugs, either.”

But it’s not just paparazzo-on-paparazzo violence that causes problems. Britney has hit several photographers with her car after they’ve jumped in her driving path and Britney’s erratic driving before her hospitalisation earlier in the month also caused many near-accidents as the group tries to follow her from place to place.

Brad Elterman, the owner of Buzz Foto, recently revealed he’s pulled his staff off from following the star because it’s “too dangerous”: “She goes through a yellow light, you go through a red. People break laws. I tell my guys now, ‘Don’t speed, don’t chase, and stay away from Britney Spears.’”

However Frank Navarre, owner of X17, doesn’t think it’s as bad as his rivals make out: “I think red carpet is worse. I used to do red carpet myself, and one guy broke my camera.”

He also added that even after a year of constant coverage, he thinks there is still plenty of mileage left in the Britney story: “I cannot say she’s boring, no. I must say she’s been pretty good at renewing herself. She doesn’t accept any authority, any boundaries. To some people, that looks crazy. She’s stronger than you think.”

Britney spent most of her weekend at the Millennium Dance Studios in North Hollywood and even though she looked rather dishevelled in torn tights and an ill-fitting mini-dress during her cigarette breaks on Saturday, sources report she’s getting back to business inside the studio.

A source told OK magazine: “Before Jamie got there, she seemed to be getting anxious [but] then he arrived and her mood changed.”

“Her focus and clarity are noticeable. Almost like the old Britney we’ve known and loved. She’s planning to dance almost every day.”

She is said to be rehearsing a routine for the video of her next single, ‘Hot as Ice’.