ATTACK victim Mark Antell today demanded tougher sentences and CCTV to combat thuggery in Dorchester after he suffered a savage beating.

He blasted that "enough was enough" after two thugs left a young man lying unconscious with head and shoulder injuries in High West Street on Monday night.

Now Mr Antell, 26, who was assaulted by a gang in Dorchester Borough Gardens, has called for action to help halt violence.

His appeal came came as Inspector Andy Mason, head of Dorchester Police, said police were taking the attacks very seriously but also spoke out to calm fears of violence in Dorchester.

Mr Antell, who is the son of former mayor John Antell, said: "There is too much mindless violence and thuggery going on.

"It has to stop. A small minority of people are responsible but they think they can get away with these things.

"Other more impressionable people see them do these things and then think they can get away with it as well. It has to be shown that they can't."

Mr Antell, who say he will write to West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin about the problem, called for CCTV cameras to be fitted in Dorchester and for courts to impose harsher penalties.

He is still receiving medication for head and kidney pains from the attack on him in Dorchester Borough Gardens on July 22.

He added: "It is frustrating. It makes me angry and annoyed that this can happen. I don't want anyone to get away with it."

A total of nine people were hurt in alleged attacks on July 22. A 17-year-old boy was stabbed in the Forum Centre car park at 1.30am a few days later.

Insp Mason said: "All of these incidents are being treated seriously and we won't tolerate this kind of behaviour.

"The public shouldn't tolerate it either. They should stand up and be counted, and not feel worried about coming to us with information.

"People should not be bullied, but what kind of society do people want. We need the public's help."

He added: "Dorchester is a safe town and comparable with any of the same size. In my six years in charge I can only recall two incidents where elderly people have been involved in some kind of violent offence.

"The town is busy on a Friday and Saturday night but the problems are relatively few."

Mr Letwin, who is Shadow Home Secretary, claimed that there were tough sentences in place but that there needed to be more police officers and rehabilitation workers for people on hard drugs.

He said: "The attacks are not the sort of thing people normally associate with Dorchester. It shows we cannot be complacent and that muggings and robbery are not just phenomena associated with big cities."

Mr Letwin said the attacks may back up a strong case for CCTV cameras in Dorchester and that he had been impressed by the security system in Bridport.

Witnesses and anyone with information about any attacks are urged to call Dorchester police on 01305 251212.