POLICE have hit back at criticism about manpower levels during adult weekends at Minehead's Butlin's resort after it was claimed not enough was being done to combat drunken and anti-social behaviour. Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he wanted Avon and Somerset Constabulary to deploy extra officers during the holiday site's adult-only events. He blamed drunken stag and hen parties from Butlin's for a surge in anti-social behaviour in the town during adult-only weekends. But Minehead Inspector Shane Carey said the force already had two extra officers on the ground for the weekends - paid for by Butlin's as part of a long-standing agreement between the constabulary and the holiday resort. "These weekend events at Butlin's have been taking place for some time and we're not aware of any particular knock-on effect on anti-social behaviour in the town centre," said Mr Carey. "We're fortunate to have a good relationship with Butlin's and together we work to minimise disruption in the town centre when they hold their events. "During these weekends they also pay for two additional police officers during Saturday daytime to allow us to deal with any issues should they arise." Mr Carey urged anyone to report anti-social behaviour to the police when it happened, regardless of who was causing it or when. "Put simply, it's only when we become aware of an issue that we can begin to tackle it," he said. "I'd encourage anyone who experiences crime or anti-social behaviour to tell us about it." Julian Highfield, resort director at Butlin's Minehead, said the holiday firm had traditionally enjoyed a good relationship with local residents, police and key members of the community. He said that relationship had been forged over many years and had proved to be beneficial for both Butlin's and the town as a whole. And he added: "Every member of my team at Butlin's is determined to ensure that our guests continue to enjoy their time at Minehead, both in the town and at the resort. "We want this harmonious relationship to continue. "We would happily play our part in addressing any recent concerns and work closely with representatives of Minehead Town Council, West Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police and local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger in a constructive dialogue." Mr Liddell-Grainger said he had received a flood of complaints about bad behaviour in the town: "I have had reports of brawling, public nudity, urinating in public and of people having to be carried back to Butlin's dead drunk in the middle of the afternoon. "The level of rowdiness is quite intimidating. Mothers are scared to allow their children into the town centre at times like this because the atmosphere is so threatening." Mr Liddell-Grainger said Butlin's was a major employer and local traders welcomed the business the 9,000- capacity resort brought to the town. "But at the moment the town is paying a very high price for it," he said. "Minehead is essentially a family resort but it is no place for families while there are hundreds of people milling around and displaying behaviour which goes well beyond acceptable limits. "What we need are more police and PCSOs on the streets – and greater use of CCTV to catch the worst offenders. We also need local people to call the police the moment they see anything. "No-one wants to stop people enjoying themselves but when levels of behaviour are so appallingly low that they impinge on the enjoyment of others then clearly something has to be done." Mr Liddell-Grainger said he intended to spend the whole of the next adults-only weekend in Minehead to see for himself how public behaviour was being controlled.