The team behind a drive to cut city centre binge drinking has won praise from a police chief.

Brighton and Hove was the first place in Sussex to have its own police alcohol licensing unit which launched the city's Best Bar None awards last year to drive up standards in 350 pubs and clubs.

The awards, jointly sponsored by The Argus, have helped reduce sickening scenes of drunken yob violence in the city centre.

The scheme was introduced in the wake of licensing laws being relaxed in 2005.

Figures released in February showed that since then serious public place violent crime has dropped by 8.4 per cent.

There have been 183 fewer victims of serious assault in Brighton and Hove since the Licensing Act came into effect.

The licensing and Best Bar None teams are being recognised for their work as part of the initiative.

Fourteen officers who played a leading role will receive divisional congratulations from Chief Superintendent Paul Pearce on Friday. (13th) Inspector William Whitehead, Sergeant Peter Castleton, violent crime reduction officer Julia Wyborn-Dore and Neil McMillan of the licensing support staff will receive certificates for their Best Bar None work.

Ten members of the licensing unit are also recognised for their work in "tackling crime in the night time economy".

Their citations read: "This has directly led to a reduction in injury, public place violent crime and other alcohol related crime in and around licensed premises."

Australian-themed bar The Walkabout in West Street, Brighton, was named as overall winner at a black-tie ceremony at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in October.

Chief Inspector Paul Smith, head of the licensing unit, said: "The huge majority of the city's 1,300 licensed premises are managed well and in a socially responsible manner.

"We firmly believe that only a small handful of premises contribute to crime and disorder.

"We remain unequivocal that there is a clear link between poorly run premises and drink related crime."

The Best Bar None awards were launched by the police, the Community Safety Forum and the city's late night entertainment industry.

Each venue was judged on standards which included door policy, crime prevention strategy, emergency procedures and drink and drugs policies.

The Walkabout's initiatives included giving designated drivers free soft drinks and placing cameras at the doors.

Mr Smith said: "The licensing team had fantastic support and over 70 premises entered the competition. We expect even more to enter this year.

"Each underwent an audit and inspection from a team comprising the police, Trading Standards, Fire and Rescue, and environmental health.

"The team also regularly visits licensed premises and conducts test purchase operations.

"Brighton and Hove is now a safer place to be and we are seeing far fewer incidents resulting in serious injury.

"I think so me of that can be directly attributed to the working relationship the team has with other agencies and licensees across the city."

A total of 40 officers and members of the public will receive certificates at the ceremony.

They include neighbours who caught a burglar who tried to break into their homes in The Droveway, Hove.

Retired GP Dr Keith Chittenden and neighbour Michael Edwards,50, detained the suspect until police arrived.

Dr Chittenden, 77, grabbed a walking stick and pinned the suspect against a fence.

He ordered him not to move and said: "I have got a stick and I am not afraid to use it."

Their citations read: "These actions ensured that an offender was brought to justice for committing a burglary."