Chelmsford is in an upsurge of town centre violence linked to weekend binge drinking.
In the six months to the end of June 412 violent crimes happened in the town - 78 of them on licensed premises.
Police predict 800-plus attacks, woundings and punch-ups by the end of the year.
In the whole of 2003 there were 674 incidents, 106 in pubs and clubs, and in 2002 624 with 92 in drinking places.
Town police say they impose around double the fixed penalty disorder notices in Chelmsford compared to any other town in Essex.
Most fights, and injuries including glassings are by males aged 15-30 on other males in the same age group. Grossly excessive drinking is the commonest factor.
Inspector Steve Robinson of the town beat said: "We are not disappointed in the figures rather we are not surprised in this rise so far this year.
"A time was many pub fights and street violence would have gone unreported and unpunished. Today with the excellent CCTV systems we have, very little is missed and we prosecute wherever there is a case.
"We are also making more detailed notes of the type and seriousness of such attacks.
"Binge drinking is largely responsible and we get a major influx of people from the London side of Essex coming here for that reason.
"Under our Operation Might we target Friday nights and we will not tolerate violence.
"We are doing all we can but as numbers of people in centres go up cases increase."
Published Wednesday August 18, 2004
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