Licensing Act has no impact on drink-fuelled violence for most

The research also found that the council taxpayer has been left to pick up a £100m bill for introducing the new scheme.

The survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) of councils, Primary Care Trusts and police authorities found that, whilst the new laws have been effective in simplifying and streamlining licensing laws, they have done little to reduce drink-related violence and have placed increased pressure on local services.

On a positive note, the report also concludes that the Act has had a positive effect in the way that public sector organisations work together, with three quarters of police authorities and PCTs thinking they now work more closely than before on licensing issues. The survey involved 120 telephone interviews of 51 local authorities, 49 Primary Care Trusts and 20 Police authorities.