POLICE today renewed their warnings that they would get tough with drunken yobs in Weymouth town centre after arresting 42 troublemakers over the past two weekends.

Officers were called into action when the bulk of the drink-fuelled trouble broke out in the town centre after pubs and clubs had shut.

Inspector Paul Gillott, of Weymouth Police, warned that the force would continue its crackdown on anti-social behaviour over the rest of the summer.

He said: "Most of the people we arrested were detained for drunkenness, fighting, criminal damage, theft and urinating in the street.

"We have made it clear in the past that troublemakers can expect to be dealt with and any form of drunken, loutish behaviour won't be tolerated."

The summer crackdown in Weymouth comes as part of a nationwide Operation Protect campaign which has seen 237 people arrested in Dorset since late July for offences such as assault or public order.

The successes in Weymouth came as holidaymakers and stag and hen parties poured into the resort for the summer nightlife.

Detective Superintendent Mike Glanville said: "We've got violent offenders in Dorset on the run.

"We have a simple message for them. This is a safe county and we won't tolerate their anti-social behaviour here."

Insp Gillott said that there would be a strong police presence in the town for tomorrow's carnival, when more than 200,000 people are expected in Weymouth for the resort's biggest day of the year.

He said: "Our advice is for people to enjoy themselves in the spirit of the event because if there is any trouble then my officers will act to make sure that ordinary people can continue to enjoy the event."