POLICE are struggling to cope with the "horrendous" violence blighting the streets of Bournemouth at weekends.

Brutal assaults are commonplace across the town as drunken revellers clash in the streets and in pubs and clubs.

Last Saturday night there were so many offences that police were unable to provide details of individual incidents.

One officer described the situation as "horrendous" and said there are not enough police on the streets to cope.

They said "pay day weekends" are the worst - those falling at the end of the month - when people have more money to spend on alcohol.

And the return of thousands of students to Bournemouth's two universities is also believed to have contributed to the problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Last weekend saw police deal with a range of incidents including an attack which left a man unconscious in the road.

There were also reports that a group of people were assaulting members of the public in the Gardens, with four injured.

As reported in the Daily Echo, CCTV operators spotted a man collapsed opposite lap-dancing club Wiggle in Old Christchurch Road at around 3.20am on Sunday.

Police and an off-duty door supervisor administered first aid before ambulance crews arrived.

The man had suffered a serious head injury and officers are treating the incident as a case of grievous bodily harm.

No one has yet been arrested in connection with the assault.

The door supervisor, who does not wish to be named, said they waited an hour for an ambulance and that she believes there are not enough police in the town centre to cope with the number of violent incidents.

Around 20 minutes earlier, police had been called to an incident outside the Bh2 leisure complex.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Officers were called to an assault in that area at 3am. A person had been set upon."

Revellers also photographed a man collapsed in Gervis Road.

Town centre councillor Bob Chapman said: "Bournemouth is not well-supported by the police numerically any of the time but it is particularly bad at weekends.

"The violence tends to be near the clubs. The number of police in Bournemouth and in Poole has been totally depleted."

Cllr David Smith added: "I am calling on the Police and Crime Commissioner to work with the Chief Constable to provide more frontline policing in Bournemouth.

"I do, however, appreciate that police have a lot more work on their hands due to issues such as international terrorism, sexual crimes and domestic violence."

The Daily Echo requested details of all assaults and incidents of anti-social behaviour in Bournemouth town centre on Saturday night but was told the inquiry was too complex and would need to be made via a Freedom of Information request.

But a Dorset Police spokesman said: "The town has a very busy and vibrant night time economy, which is a hugely important asset. We work tirelessly with our partners so it can be enjoyed by all.

"We have an active Pubwatch scheme, dedicated night time patrols by our Neighbourhood Policing Team, which are deployed on an intelligence-led basis.

"Over the summer months we responded to an increase in incidents in Bournemouth Gardens to combat rising reports of anti-social behaviour and public place violence, which had a positive impact. We remain aware of all the issues that surround the night time economy."

The Daily Echo also contacted Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill who initially said he was "happy to quote" but then changed his mind and refused to comment.