Police have set up Operation Sober to vet licensed premises asking for longer opening hours.

Residents have expressed concerns over the new Licensing Act 2003, which enables pubs, clubs and off-licences to extend their hours of opening to sell intoxicating liquor.

Chief Inspector Bob Gough, Lewes district commander, said: "I too have concerns that the relaxation in the licensing laws has potential to lead to an increase in alcohol-fuelled violence and public nuisance within licensed premises and in the vicinity of licensed premises.

"In preparation for the new Licensing Act this district has vetted every alcohol licensed premises and has ensured that, where the licensee has applied to vary the licence, we have forwarded them our detailed operating guidelines in order to minimise anti-social behaviour and disorder.

"If they don't comply in terms of crime and disorder, then we will have no hesitation in making representations to vary the licence or revoke the licence to the Lewes District Council licensing sub-committee.

"All licensed premises which have applied for a variation in their licence have to have an operating schedule and this comprises the four main areas of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and protecting children from harm."

Officers working on Operation Sober will make regular checks on licensed premises to ensure that they are not allowing any person who is drunk to be on their premises or serving anyone who is drunk. They are also combining these licensing visits with visits by environmental services at Lewes District Council and the local fire service.

Mr Gough added: "My neighbourhood policing teams and I are determined that the increasing flexibility of licensing opening hours will not result, in any way, in an increase in alcohol-fuelled disorder, anti-social behaviour or excessive noise."