SHOCKING new crime figures have revealed that Petersfield is now home to a Òdepressing spectacleÓ of drunken violence and vandalism on a weekly basis.

Hooligans take over the town on Friday and Saturday nights, fighting, urinating in the street, and throwing bottles.

Violent crime has soared in the town, increasing by 93 per cent in the past five years, and vandalism has risen by 25 per cent over the same period.

Inspector Steve Sargent of Petersfield Police paints a bleak picture: ÒThe town centre which, during the day is dominated by a bustling market and a busy shopping area filled with children and pensioners, becomes a drinking centre at night; the preserve of young adults.

ÒAt closing time on a warm night - when the most lager has been consumed - bottles are thrown, plants are uprooted, men urinate in corners, girls scream, others shout at their friends at the other end of the High Street, and there is almost always a fight.

ÒAmbulances attend, and arrests are made. People walk home in loud groups, damaging cars as they go.Ó

Insp Sargent said that many young people flock to Petersfield from as far afield as Portsmouth, Guildford, and Basingstoke in search of a Ònight outÓ.

He added: ÒThere are now 50 pubs, clubs, off-licences and licensed restaurants in Petersfield alone and, due to the otherwise low crime rate, the local police force is limited to about five officers on duty at weekends.

ÒWe would not go as far as saying we were losing the battle - itÕs just very sad that there is a battle, and we wish we could do more to bring the problems under control.Ó

This week alone, five assaults were reported to police, cars were vandalised in Herne Road and Love Lane and a High Street shop window was smashed with a traffic cone.

In December last year, police recorded the highest-ever number of vandalism cases in the town and called a special community meeting to help find a way forward in tackling the disturbing rise.

Insp Sargent said that the trend is now very much away from crimes of theft and burglary and towards crimes of violence and vandalism, and it is clear to police most is drink- related.

The overall crime rate has fallen significantly over the last five years with house burglary, car and other thefts falling by up to 33 per cent since 1997.

Insp Sargent said the success in combating these types of crimes is due to better crime prevention and a very healthy Neighbourhood Watch system, covering the majority of the area.

He said the burglary rate is now at the same level it was in the early 1980s and the average house is likely to be broken into once every 200 years.