Picture posed by actorsWILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A TOP Wiltshire police officer is worried that new 24-hour drinking laws could turn the county into a haven for binge drinkers stretching his resources to breaking point.

New licensing laws, which will give pubs, nightclubs and off-licences the chance to open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, from February 7.

Insp Glynn Hookings, of Trowbridge police, said he was very concerned about the ability to police effectively under the new laws and was fearful of their impact on communities, with binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence already a concern.

He said: "If we see an increase in people applying to allow later drinking there are two reasons why it's a concern. "The first is that we will struggle with resources. After 3am our resources drop dramatically. The other is the impact on the community, in terms of noise, litter, taxis and takeaways."

He said drink-driving levels could increase if people stayed out later and then drove to work in the morning.

"I think people will go out later and drink longer. They won't necessarily drink for 24 hours but they will think, 'why don't I go out at midnight tonight?'"

Pubs will be able to apply for a drink-down period, remaining open for a certain length of time after they have stopped serving alcohol.

Insp Hookings said: "For the pubs it's about making a profit. Will we have a domino effect, where one pub decides to stay open until 4am and all the others have to in order to keep up?"

Under the new Act, which was approved by West Wiltshire District Council cabinet on Wednesday, premises will have six months to apply for licences, with a planned start to the scheme estimated as November 2005.

A licence is needed for sale and supply of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment, and provision of late night food and hot drinks. Licences can be flexible, enabling premises to apply to stay open all night on special occasions such as a football World Cup.

Speaking to an audience of pub and club owners at Trowbridge Civic Hall on Wednesday, John Melia, from the British Institute of Innkeeping, said: "The idea of 24-hour operating is a myth in most cases but what we have to consider is the hours that best suit you as businesses."

Residents and community leaders will be entitled to object to any applications for extended hours, which will be posted on the district council's website www.westwiltshire.gov.uk