EVESHAM'S area commander has expressed alarm at the town's high violent crime figures and admitted the new 24-hour licensing laws will force a rethink of policing.

Commander of Wychavon, Inspector Steve Brooker said Evesham town averaged 42 violent crime incidents a month, much of it alcohol induced.

He added that Evesham's poor transport infrastructure could lead to increased public disorder with the advent of open-all-hours drinking legislation, due to be introduced next November.

Speaking to town councillors about violent crime on Monday, Insp Brooker said: "Whether it takes place in a public or private place, most of it is alcohol induced. It ranges from just a slap or punch to serious stuff like stabbing.

"I am very pleased to say we detect 89 per cent of it, which is in fact the best detection in the division for violent crime. But it is an alarming figure and something we are trying to get on top of."

Insp Brooker admitted the new licensing laws would impact on the way the town's police operate: "At the moment our quiet period for policing is after midnight or 3am on weekends. It makes sense to have most officers on duty when most work comes in.

"When this licensing comes on board we are going to have to rethink how we police - there will be no more officers coming and we will have to look at what we have got and how to police at 4am or 5am.

"We have very few problems inside licensed premises now, it is outside when people are going home and this is where the transport infrastructure is so important. If we can get them away quickly that will more than half solve the problem."

"Some people will purport the theory that with 24-hour licensing laws we will have less of a problem because it is more spread out and there is some value in that theory. But you only need one individual to break a shop window or create a fight."

Deputy mayor Frances Smith, speaking after the meeting, said: "I am obviously quite concerned about the high level of violent crime but take on board the police are doing all they can.

"I can't see the new drinking laws helping the problem in any way.

"I am just hoping the police will cope but I can't see it if they are not getting any extra staff - I personally don't think the current level is enough for when this 24-hour drinking comes in."