A JUDGE'S claim that Amesbury is a "lawless town" has been rebuffed by its mayor David Reed.

Councillor Reed told a meeting of the town council last week that from his observations the streets of Amesbury are well patrolled by police and it is no better or worse than other towns.

He was hitting back at criticism levelled by Salisbury's resident Crown Court Judge Keith Cutler last month when he sentenced a 19-year-old man, convicted of possessing an air rifle during an incident in the town earlier in the year.

Judge Cutler said that Amesbury was turning into a lawless town, where every Friday and Saturday night the streets are handed over to people who have had too much to drink.

But Cllr Reed said: "I am satisfied Amesbury is not a lawless town on Friday and Saturday nights. The streets are well patrolled by Amesbury police and any troublemakers arrested.

"There is noise on occasions when people leave pubs and clubs and are waiting for taxis but it is no better or worse than most towns."

He said it was not possible for local police to patrol the streets all the time because they had to cover such a big rural area but they were there at critical times.

Local police were currently under-strength but a request had been made for an increase in number.

Later during the meeting Amesbury's new police Inspector Martin Sweet reported there had been a total of 348 crimes committed in and around the town in the past three months, which was a 13 per cent increase on the previous year. But there had been a detection rate of 38.2 per cent, which was "exceptionally good."

He said violent crime during the same period had increased by 12 offences.

Insp Sweet said that as the result of positive action, police were performing well in Amesbury and had things under control.

During the coming months they would be launching new initiatives, including going live with neighbourhood policing teams in the town He said he would be driving his officers to deal with problems in the town but would need the help of partner agencies and the local community in reporting incidents.

Inspector Sweet also reported that the government was soon to increase fixed penalty notices for disorderly behaviour to £100, saying it would "hit pockets hard."