ONE YEAR ON FROM THE CHANGES TO THE LICENSING LAWS, INJURY VIOLENT CRIME FIGURES ACROSS SUSSEX ARE DOWN.

Assistant Chief Constable Jeremy Paine said that concerns over 24-hourdrinking leading to a significant increase in alcohol fuelled violence and public nuisance across Sussex have not materialised, thanks to arobust response to the new legislation by Sussex Police and its partners.

In advance of the changes which came into force on 24 November last year, Sussex Police launched a Forcewide Enough campaign to clamp downon anti-social yobbery and under-age drinking.

New figures show that, since the changes to licensing laws came in last November, almost 1,000 fewer people have been injured as a result of violence in public places. In East Sussex there were 400 fewer victims, and in both West Sussex andBrighton & Hove there were 292 fewer victims respectively.

Mr Paine said: "This is positive news and shows that the robust stance we have been taking across Sussex with irresponsible drinkers and licensed premises has worked well.

"We all still have a long way to go as binge drinking is a national phenomenon which requires a cultural shift. We all have a responsibility to try and tackle it.

Antisocial behaviour associated with drinking,particularly amongst the young, is very damaging and remains asignificant issue."

In Brighton alone there have been 292 fewer victims. Police have worked closely with the city council and the local licensees to ensure a smooth transition and this approach has been a great success.

The city has over 1300 licensed premises, of which 350 are pubs, clubsand bars.

The huge majority of these are managed well and in a socially responsible manner and it is believed only a small handful of premises contribute to crime and disorder. In the city plenty of bars and pubs have extended their hours and ahandful have applied for 24 hour licences.

These changes have beenhandled responsibly and with minimal fuss. Overall the new regulationshave had a positive effect, Brighton & Hove has a reputation as a placeto have fun and the division is justly proud of the restaurants, bars,pubs and clubs on offer.

A package of measures across Sussex have helped to make a smooth transition, including: * Police and Trading Standards targeting off licences and pubs toprevent sales of alcohol to underage youngsters. * Police taking a much more proactive approach to deal with 'yobbish'anti-social behaviour, to prevent it escalating to more seriousoffences, and handing out on the spot penalties, for example, for beingdrunk in a public place or threatening or abusive behaviour. And in Brighton a 'Best Bar None' award scheme has been launched by thepolice, council and other partners to provide an incentive for pubs,clubs and bars to raise their standards and provide a safe environmentfor customers.