Youth violence flared twice in one night in St. George?s ? prompting calls for more Police patrols.

Police were first alerted to fighting in the square at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, but when they arrived the youths had dispersed.

Five hours later officers were called out again to break up another fight between youths.

Police stayed in the area to maintain the peace.

Yesterday St. George?s Mayor E. Michael Jones ? frustrated at not being informed about the incident ? said he had asked Police to patrol the Old Town.

St. George?s had suffered from a shortage of officers, despite Premier Alex Scott?s commitment to keeping a Police station in St. George?s and putting more Policemen on the beat, he claimed.

Mr. Jones added the town often had no officers on foot patrol.

?It will deter anyone from doing anything unlawful. At the same time we are thankful, today there were Police officers on pedal cycles in the square patrolling the town. They do make an effort to increase the visibility of the Service.?

Mr. Jones expressed annoyance at not being informed by the Police about the latest disturbance.

Elected as Mayor last year, he told lateyesterday afternoon that he was about to call the Commissioner to request details of the situation. If anything happens in the Old Town, the Mayor said he needs to know.

?It?s important for me to be aware of what goes on so I can talk to the pertinent people and get the facts and details of the situation and I can respond in a reasonable manner,? he said.

?When people ask me about the situation I need to be able to say that I?ve spoken to the Police and this is the deal, whereas this obviously hasn?t been working very well. This is an important issue that I have to deal with.?

Mr. Jones, who runs Cafe Latte in St. George?s, said Police had made a concerted effort to patrol the town during Market Nights on Tuesdays, but more could be done to improve the efficiency.

?Rather than me calling up and asking what is going on every day, I rely on them to call me if anything happens,? he said. ?It?s something I would like to think will occur.?

Mr. Jones said disturbances hindered the image of the area.

?It makes it less desirable for visitors and for locals to be in St. George?s,? he said. ?What we are asking for is officers on foot patrol who can communicate readily with visitors and locals to get a far friendlier service as opposed to an officer who drives by in an air-conditioned car with the windows up.?

Plans are in hand to lobby the Commissioner for more officers for the area.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines would not comment as to why the Police had not informed the Mayor of the disturbance. He said the Service remained committed to reporting incidents on a daily basis and to having an active Police presence in the square for Market Nights on Tuesdays.

Two years ago young people defaced buildings in St. George?s, damaging plans to make the town a viable cultural centre. Politicians and Government officials spoke out in an effort to end crime and vandalism in St. George?s after graffiti was found painted on historic monuments compromising the town?s World Heritage Site status.