Police have defended their actions after claims that two victims brutally attacked in Swadlincote were in fact criminals themselves.

It has been claimed during a full council that the two men violently assaulted in the town earlier last week were drug users carrying on criminal acts and now Derbyshire Police's top cop Chief Superintendent Jim Allen has been asked to reveal what they are doing about the ill feeling in the area.

The assaults are believed to have been incited in part by comments made on social media, police have previously said.

Swadlincote's safer neighbourhood Sergeant Graham Summers has already said he would not tolerate anarchy breaking out and that people cannot 'fight crime with crime'.

The two victims were badly injured, with one was attacked with a blunt instrument, believed to have been a hammer.

North Street was the scene of one of the attacks in Swadlincote

The first man was attacked at around 7pm on Monday, June 25, when officers were called to Midland Road, Swadlincote , to a report of a 31-year-old with facial injuries.

Then at around 2.20pm on, Tuesday, June 26, a second man was found in North Street in the town with injuries suggesting he had been struck with a blunt instrument, possibly a hammer, police said.

During the latest full meeting of South Derbyshire District Council, Councillor Robert Pearson, who represents Midway spoke out at a question and answer session.

He said of the two assaults: "There has been concern on social media. There is a lot of concern that it is actually the drug users carrying on criminal acts. May I ask if the police are doing something about it?"

Sergeant Graham Summers answering issues about two attacks

Chief Superintendent Allen said that many criminals are dealt with but members of the public may not always be aware.

He said: "Much of the crime is contained within the drug dealer or user's environment but has a direct affect on the town so there is this perception, and social media is winding itself up.

"We have arrested 80 people recently, just over alleged drug deals. We arrest, convict, send to jail, then they leave jail and start over again. For example one offender was out by Christmas and has just been jailed again for a series of offences.

"This is a very safe district. You have a dedicated police team to make the district safe. We do make many arrests. You don't find out about them all unless we have a court reporter in court.

"We are doing everything we can to combat this but if you see something tell us by calling Derbyshire Police on 101 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

Sergeant Graham Summers speaks at a meeting about the incidents

He added that 'social media is not intelligence'.

Councillor Sandra Whyatt, who represents the Swadlincote ward, said: "I am a police volunteer. The police do a fabulous job in very difficult circumstances.

"I have been out with them and have seen the abuse from some horrible people but they deal with it all with professionalism and kindness."