DRINK-FUELLED CRIME MUST BE TARGET THIS SUMMER - OATEN

2.00.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 25th Jul 2005

Overall crime in England and Wales has dropped by a further 7% in the past year, contributing to a "historically unprecedented" fall over the past decade, according to official figures published today. However, violent offences in England and Wales reached record levels in 2004-5 with police recording one million crimes - up 7% from the previous year.

The government has also published the British Crime Survey, based on interviews with 45,000 people, which suggests violent crime is down 11%. Home Secretary Charles Clarke said he was "extremely encouraged" by the "very positive" figures in the British Crime Survey - which the Home Office regards as more accurate.

While some of these figures are reassuring, it is violent crime which causes the greatest distress. The steady increases we are seeing in violent crime are directly linked to drink. The government must ensure that our towns don't become night-time no-go areas this summer. Our concern is that extending opening times for up to 24 hours will make the problems of alcohol-related crime worse, not better. The new measures should be delayed until the binge drinking culture has been brought under control.