POLICE are not doing enough to tackle binge boozing and under-age drinking in the centre of Worcester, a key figure in licensing has claimed.

Coun David Clark, a former Mayor of the city, fears there are too few officers on patrol in the city streets to curb the behaviour of night-time revellers and check pubs and clubs are not serving under-18s.

The chairman of the council's licensing committee is worried the lack of police will stifle changes to alcohol and entertainment permits - including possible 24-hour opening.

"Police are supposed to visit all pubs and clubs on a regular basis - I bet they haven't done it for a couple of years," said Coun Clark, whose committee will take control of issuing licenses next March.

"Obviously, they haven't got the manpower to be able to respond or cope with what's going on out there.

"If we were going to have 24-hour drinking, how on earth are the police going to be able to cover that period if they can't cover it now?

"If the infrastructure isn't there to support a 24-hour night-time economy then we shouldn't be thinking about allowing it. Otherwise, people are going to pay because of rowdy behaviour and no one being able to control it."

"In Bristol, at the beginning of the year, they spearheaded an initiative into binge drinking culture."

"They closed down premises for 24 or 48 hours for underage drinking and the reaction they got was amazing."

But police chiefs denied they were undermanned.

"We have always recognised the anticipated extra demands on our resources late at night and especially at weekends, and we ensure that our staffing levels are adjusted accordingly," said Chief Insp Sharon Gibbons, of West Mercia police.

"We are pleased that there has been a reduction in reported violent crime this year, and this, in part, reflects this policy.

"Clearly, we have to ensure that we have the right level of staffing in all parts of the day and night and we are able to adjust this as circumstances dictate."