VIOLENT crime in Abergavenny, mainly fuelled by binge drinking, has soared over the past six months, it was reported at a meeting in the town.

Incidents, including domestic violence, shot up by 32 percent in the period from April to November, PC Andy Charles, the town's crime reduction officer, told the annual meeting of Abergavenny Partnership Against Crime.

But the police were able to detect more than 60 percent of alcohol-related violence, which played a part in 45 percent of offences, with domestic violence at 35 percent and "youth on youth" crime at 20 percent.

The figures rose mainly because the police policy on violence makes it less easy in domestic incidents for claims to be withdrawn.

"We push to get these cases to court," said PC Charles. "We are also working with licensees, who have to be active members of Pub Watch, to combat such incidents. So far, 28 people are on pub banned lists. "We are now arresting more people and, therefore, putting more ticks in the 'violent crime' boxes."

Inspector Jeff Smith, who runs the Abergavenny station, told the meeting: "We have people from the valleys coming into the town to visit the clubs, but times have not really changed since I was a young policeman."

Burglaries at domestic dwellings were down by 16 percent over the last six months, burglaries of sheds, garages and outhouses were down by 35 percent, and vehicle crime fell by 14 percent.

"These figures mean there were 110 fewer victims of crime than a year ago," said Insp Smith.

Local police are to launch an anti-social behaviour initiative by putting more officers on the streets, and a test-buying scheme to check on the sale of alcohol. Selling beer and spirits to under-18s will get publicans a fixed-penalty fine.

Retiring chairman Michael Prys-Williams said supermarkets had a lot to answer for in selling alcoholic drink to under-18s.

Former police officer Roy Williams was elected chairman, with Mr Prys-Williams as his deputy and Don Chambers as secretary.