City councillors have called for more police following the release of a survey which found more than 40 per cent of Warrnambool people don't feel safe on the streets after dark.

The telephone survey by the Department of Planning Community Development showed that only 58.7 per cent of the 450 adults surveyed felt safe on the streets at night.

Mayor Michael Neoh said he hoped it would be addressed in the next state election debate.

Cr Andrew Fawcett said increased availability of alcohol was a major factor.

"I think the survey shows more about the influence of alcohol which has taken over as young people's entertainment," he said. "We should be looking at hotels and clubs that put all these people on the streets and make life unbearable."

Cr Peter Hulin said street safety was linked to a shortage of police and he called for a united campaign with other municipalities to tackle the Government.

"We can't accept a fob-off from the minister," he said referring to a recent letter from Police Minister Bob Cameron who replied to an earlier letter from the council on the issue.

"I call on my fellow councillors to see if we can write another letter to get a groundswell in other councils to get more police."

Cr Jennifer Lowe said many parents were worried by a recent report about an alleged attempt to abduct a young girl after school recently. "It's important that council take a leadership role," she said.

The rest of the survey results showed residents thought the city was a good place to live. A total of 95.4 per cent said it was a pleasant environment with nice streets, well planned and open spaces. About 93.6 per cent said it had good facilities and services like shops, child care, schools and libraries.