Victims are currently taken to Derriford Hospital, but that often clogs up the casualty unit and police cannot investigate attacks quickly.

From the end of August victims are to be treated at a building on Union Street in the city.

It will be staffed on Friday and Saturday nights with police officers, a paramedic and ambulance crew.

'Improve detection'

Union Street's current field hospital is a police incident van and an ambulance, but negotiations have concluded to give it a permanent home.

The minor injuries centre is being set up in a building by police and the NHS. Victims are treated on site, and the police can interview them to begin investigating assaults immediately.

Plymouth police commander Morris Watts said: "It's early days yet, but the theory is that it will help improve detection rates and give a better service to victims of crime.