The Kingscliffe Society has received headline publicity for its prophesies of doom regarding 24-hour drinking (The Argus, January 23 and 18).

There is no evidence that extending licensing hours increases public violence and nuisance. This is borne out by liberalisation in both Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Both had a reputation for heavy drinking and drunken disorder at closing time.

Since the introduction of 24-hour laws, there has been a dramatic reduction of such instances and the soothsayers of woe were not proved correct.

The main arguments for relaxation of licensing laws are that people will not be forced to binge drink and all leave premises at the same time, frustrated and drunken due to speed of alcohol intake.

This will, in turn, relieve the strain on the late-night transport system and the police.

If more establishments throughout Brighton and Hove allow later drinking, people who want to drink late might not all be forced to go to the clubs, which are virtually the only places with a late licence, clustered either in West Street or on the seafront.

A key part of the new proposals is that the police will have greater powers to shut badly managed venues identified as a source of nuisance.

Overwhelming evidence shows well-managed licensed premises are not usually the cause of anti-social behaviour.

If one chooses to live in the middle of the major entertainment centre of the South East, one cannot expect tranquility.

Moreover, our city's character and reputation started with the antics of the Prince Regent, continued with Brighton Rock and the racecourse gangs, in the Sixties was the focus of moral outrage with trouble between Mods and Rockers and, last year, made headlines with Normstock.

All these events took place in the immediate vicinity of the Kingscliffe Society.

The society might benefit from focusing on the problems in the area that have been with us for many years and have become worse since the massive increase in drug abuse and homelessness.

Concentrating efforts on pub and club licensing is not addressing the core issues. A community safety group has existed for some time that works with the police to help combat the problems, with some degree of success.

However, nothing will be achieved through a culture of objection and negativity. Positive co-operation between local community, bar and club owners, police and Brighton and Hove City Council is required.

Effort could be employed in identifying problem venues and pressure applied to ensure management practices change. A little lateral thinking may produce practical solutions.

While I sympathise with those suffering from late-night noise and anti-social behaviour, relaxation of licensing laws will not make the problem worse.

Evidence suggests this country's ridiculously outdated licensing laws are largely responsible for the negative aspects of British drinking culture.

-Monty Valentine, Lower Rock Gardens, Brighton