The staff see a range of serious injuries

Almost 30 people are attacked and beaten in Londonderry every week, according to a senior doctor.

The Accident and Emergency department at Altnagelvin Hospital treats an average of 115 assault victims each month.

The head of the department, consultant Alan McKinney, said it was a frightening problem which needed to be addressed.

He said Derry was no different to other towns or cities, but the degree of violence being used nowadays was particularly disturbing.

"We have minor injuries right up to, and including, people who have been murdered in the city in attacks," he said.

"We've had stabbings, we've had people having bottles smashed into their faces. We've had people having their heads stamped on, until they're deeply unconscious.

There has been ongoing cooperation between the PSNI, the Vintners' Association and Derry City Council Inspector Bob Torrens

"We've seen a whole range of really serious injuries."

Police statistics show that there were 609 assaults in Derry city centre from 1 April 2002 to 28 February 2003.

From 1 April 2003 to 28 February 2004, there have been 475 assaults - a decrease of 22 per cent.

Inspector Bob Torrens, a PSNI spokesperson, attributed the drop to higher visibility policing, together with the use of CCTV cameras in the city centre.

"CCTV is a major factor, as is a more pro-active policing strategy in relation to the policing of Derry city centre, particularly at the weekend. This involves high visibility policing," Inspector Torrens said.

"Additionally, there has been ongoing cooperation between the PSNI, the Vintners' Association and Derry City Council."