MORE violence on the streets of central Weymouth has prompted renewed calls for authorities to work to make the town safer.

There are concerns that the town's image is being tarnished by incidents of assaults and anti-social behaviour.

It comes as police probe two attacks at the weekend, both in the town centre, where young men were left injured after being confronted by groups.

Officers are keeping an open mind as to whether the incidents are linked.

In the first incident, a 23-year-old man was beaten up and robbed of his wallet in Turton Street. And then a 23-year-old suffered a fractured jaw after being assaulted in East Street.

It is the latest bout of trouble in the Melcombe Regis area which covers the town centre and Park District.

On Tuesday the Echo reported how the victim of a terrifying sex attack in the town centre was planning to leave Weymouth as she no longer felt safe. Her attacker was jailed for six years.

Police and authorities have launched a number of initiatives this year to combat problems in the town centre, including campaigns to tackle street drinkers, trouble involving young people, and alcohol-related disorder.

Due to budget cuts the 24-hour CCTV system is now only monitored for 12 hours a day from late afternoon to the early hours. But the council could be joining a pan-Dorset service if plans go ahead which would mean the cameras are watched constantly.

Community safety spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Cllr Francis Drake said the incidents at the weekend were 'appalling'.

He said: "Incidents like this are becoming a regular occurrence in Weymouth and it's really worrying, you wonder where we are going wrong.

"It's obviously not nice for the people involved and it's also sending out the wrong signals about our town.

"Personally I think there should be more community police officers on the streets. There needs to be regular patrols by officers who residents can get to know and feel reassured by."

Melcombe Regis is within the 20 per cent most deprived areas in the country. An action team has been set up by the council and other bodies to turn around the fortunes of the area, which is blighted by crime, poor housing and ill health.

Weymouth BID manger Nigel Reed said it was 'disappointing' to hear of more violent incidents but the traders' group was working with the police on various schemes to reduce crime.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “We are committed to maintaining officer numbers both in Weymouth and Portland and across Dorset.

"We have plans in place to recruit at least 135 officers this year and I have committed to increasing the number of warranted officers over my four year term."

He added: “I am actively involved in a number of initiatives in Weymouth, including the RU2Drunk scheme and the Melcombe Regis Regeneration Board, to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.”

Deputy Neighbourhood Inspector Tony Burden, of Weymouth police, said: “The whole of Dorset has recently seen an increase in crime. This is mostly due to an increase in lower level, higher volume crimes, changes to our crime recording system and as a result of the increased faith people have in the police when it comes to reporting crime.

“Weymouth and Portland has seen an increase in the number of reported offences of public place crime so far this year, the majority of which involve acts between individuals who are known to each other.

“In response to this there are a number of local initiatives in place, such as the RU2Drunk campaign, where police are working alongside partner agencies to tackle the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour.

“I would like to reassure the public that the force remains committed to ensuring that Weymouth and Portland remains a safe place."