Labour is 'in denial' over booze violence caused by 24-hour licensing

Ministers were forced to admit that there is 25 per cent more serious violence in the early hours of the morning - and that a promised reduction in alcohol-fuelled disorder has not materialised.

They were even reduced to threatening the "wholesale withdrawal of licences" in town centres where drinking is out of control.

But, despite the emerging picture of police and health resources stretched to breaking point by Binge Britain, the Government still played down the impact of all-day drinking.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said the introduction of the Licensing Act in November 2005 "has not led to the widespread problems some feared".

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Casualty of an extended night out: A drunken girl in the notorious Bigg Market area of Newcastle

He added: "Our main conclusion is that people are using the freedoms but people are not sufficiently using the considerable powers granted by the Act to tackle problems."

But Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said ministers were "deluding themselves".

Police had warned they were so busy dealing with violence in the early hours there were barely any officers to patrol during the day.

The first Government studies of the impact of the new laws - forced through by Labour in the face of widespread opposition - found the number of more serious violent crimes had leapt by 25 per cent between 3am and 6am - suggesting street brawls had simply been pushed into the early hours.

While a selective study of A&E departments found no evidence of increased admissions nationwide, one London hospital said alcohol-related admissions had jumped threefold while a town which was not named in the Home Office study reported a doubling in admissions.

Unsteady: This young drinker could barely keep herself upright during weekend scenes in Hastings, Sussex

The London Ambulance Service said there had been a two per cent increase in alcohol-related call-outs in the first ten months of the relaxation - followed by a further 10 per cent jump between November 2006 and October 2007.

The report showed that a large majority of 24-hour licences had been issued to hotels and shops.

Mr Burnham said there was little evidence of pubs opening 24 hours.

The overall volume of crime and disorder had remained stable and there was no proof people were drinking more.

Nevertheless, he said, there should be "far more instant closures of pubs and clubs in an area where there has been a disorder, and indefinite closure by the courts for any breach of licence conditions."

Maps will be drawn up to identify particular problem areas.

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The move could lead to premises in parts of town centres marred by violence having their licence withdrawn, officials said, although they stressed it was only one "option".

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "The small rise in incidents in the small hours of the morning is a matter of concern.

"There are clearly people who take things too far and premises that pander to them."

Critics questioned whether the threat of widespread closures would ever materialise.

Opposition MPs said existing powers - such as punishing pubs which sell alcohol to people who are already drunk - had been used very rarely.

They also said the new "two strikes and you're out" policy for those who sell alcohol to minors was actually a softening of the current position.

In 2005, the Culture Department said courts could suspend or withdraw licences for a first offence.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Don Foster pointed to damning research not included in yesterday's report.

It includes a Parliamentary answer showing A&E admissions jumped from 127,143 in the year before the changes to 162,080 last year.

Mr Foster said: "Ministers told us the Act would reduce drunken disorder, binge-drinking and underage drinking.

"In reality we've seen a rise in violent crimes late at night, too many licensed premises still selling to children and soaring alcohol-related A&E admissions."

The British Beer and Pub Association said there had been no surge in trade following the relaxation and 27 pubs a week closed down last year - 14 times the rate in 2005.

Chief executive Rob Hayward said: "A vital part of the British economy and social life is under the most severe strain it has faced for decades."