Top police officer hits at new drink laws

The Deputy Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, Andy Trotter, called for an early review of the impact of the changes following their implementation in November.

He suggested that if police fears are borne out, the Government should act to "turn off the tap" by limiting access to alcohol once more.

Licensees had until midnight this morning to apply to convert their licences. Some 90 per cent of pubs are understood to want to stay open an hour or two later. A quarter of licensed premises, mostly restaurants, may have missed the deadline. If they do, they will have to apply by 24 November to go through the lengthy process of acquiring a completely new licence.

Mr Trotter, who was until recently responsible for licensing in the Metropolitan police and sits on a government-industry panel on the issue, said the Government was wrong to claim it had police support for the changes.

James Purnell, the minister responsible for licensing,said: "Of course, you can find a policeman who will object to it, but by and large police officers have supported it and Acpo [the Association of Chief Police Officers] has been implementing it."

Mr Trotter told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "He is not right. Commander Chris Allison is the Acpo lead on licensing and he has many concerns, as I do."