The father of a teenager who suffered a violent and unprovoked attack in the centre of Totnes is calling for more CCTV in the town to help catch the culprits.

And town councillors whose children have been viciously attacked in the same way agree.

Chris Sherville’s 16-year-old son was hospitalised after being assaulted on the Plains shortly after midnight on Saturday, August 7.

The Churston Ferrers Grammar School pupil was punched in the face and beaten to the ground after stopping off to buy a take-away pizza on his return home from a party.

The incident was recorded on CCTV which belongs to the take-away and the footage is now in the hands of the police, said Mr Sherville, but he told councillors at Monday’s full town council meeting that other late night establishments in town do not have CCTV.

He is calling for all pubs and late night takeaways to have spy cameras installed as a condition of their licence.

“It’s almost a bit heretical to suggest CCTV in Totnes and I understand, I know people don’t want their lives on camera all the time, but when the trouble is outside the Barrel House or the Dartmouth or wherever there should be a means of recording that so the authorities can follow it up,” he said.

“They are allowed to sell the alcohol that puts some of these people in the position where they are going to be violent, so they have a responsibility to the greater number of people.

“We all know there are times when Totnes has got issues with violence. The Plains especially has got a reputation for late night violence; the taxi drivers I know all complain about it, something really needs to be done.

“It would help to ensure the safety of everybody who lives in the town and who should have the right to be able to walk freely without the threat of violence.”

Deputy mayor, Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, said she sympathised with Mr Sherville as her son was also attacked, in another town, when he was a teenager: “My son was beaten up when he was 16 and I know what it feels like,” she said. “It’s painful to witness as parents.

“I hope the councillors will consider this. It feels like we don’t trust people, but actually it’s only the odd one that causes the problem, but it can be serious when it happens.”

Cllr Sarah Collinson said her profoundly deaf son was assaulted outside the Happy Apple in the High Street two years ago.

“I also very much sympathise,” she told Mr Sherville.

“I know we have particular problems with some of the hospitality venues, but there are other locations in the town where there might be problems of that kind.

“There was an act of vandalism in the Lamb Garden two nights ago, and I have seen quite serious incidents of drug dealing there, along with antisocial behaviour.

“I suggest we need to have CCTV around the town more generally.”

Cllr Louise Webberly said she also witnessed a violent incident on the Plains three years ago. “It’s rare in Totnes but it does happen,” she said.

Mr Sherville’s request will be discussed at the next Council Matters committee meeting on Monday, September 13.

Cllr Victoria Trow said: “We will be discussing this. It should be a condition of their licence that premises that are open late at night should have their own CCTV.

“They should have some responsibility. It’s a conversation it’s time this town had.”