VIOLENT crime inside East Lancashire pubs has fallen by nearly a half since the controversial laws were brought in.

And concerns that 24-hour-drinking would lead to significant rises in alcohol-fuelled violence have not been borne out.

In Blackburn, Hyndb-urn and Ribble Valley violent crime incidents in licensed premises have dropped from 432 last year to 266 in 2006.

And in Burnley the latest figures reveal that between April and November, violent crime in pubs and clubs fell by 48per cent - the biggest drop in the county.

Sergeant Rachel Baines, who oversees policing in Blackburn town centre, said the change in law had helped crime plummet.

The big bang' that was predicted and talked about with dread by many has simply never happened, according to police.

Sgt Baines said: "The new laws gave pubs the flexibility to stay open longer - and because people could come out in dribs and drabs that has caused less problems. Most pubs applied for later licences but none for a 24-hour licence.

"It is about softening the blow. People can come and go when they like. The fact there is no last orders' has helped."

But she said police had not expected the change in the law to have a huge impact on drinking behaviour.

She added: "On a typical evening in Blackburn people go to pubs in Darwen Street, and around 11pm everyone moves around Northgate to the clubs.

"Some people are now coming out a bit later. But places aren't staying open until five in the morning, it's two and three."

The number of comp-laints about pubs staging lock-ins' had also fallen dramatically because now they can stay open longer legally.

Geoff Sutcliffe, past president of the pub landlord trade organisation, the Licensed Victuallers' Association, said a recent North West meeting of the Association had praised the laws.

The landlord at the Rising Sun, Whalley New Road, Blackburn, said: "It has worked very well. People don't feel the need to rush off for that last hour in the town centres.

"They leave as the night goes on when they are ready.

"At weekend people don't need to leave the premises until 1am but most have left by 12.30am.

"I don't need to ask people to leave anymore.

"Every landlord I speak to has welcomed the changes. It has not been the disaster that was forecast."

In Burnley, from April to November, violent crime in licensed premises fell from 201 incidents to 105, and in the town centre by 43per cent from 378 incidents to 136.

The figures, which cover crimes such as robbery and assault, were compared to the same period last year.

And the period this year covers the football World Cup, which typically sees a rise in violent crime.

Inspector Damian Darcy hailed the reduction, which he said was down to the town's successful pubwatch scheme Burnley Against Night-time Disorder (BAND). He said: "These are not just figures, they are people. If there are 250 less incidents that is significant and I think it is the only place in the county that is showing a significant reduction."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope also hailed the new laws as a success. He said: "The change in the laws has made the whole experience of going out much more civilised.

"People were speeding up their drinking towards the 11pm deadline and then all pouring out on the streets at the same time after drinking heavily. This was not a sensible way of proceeding.

"Now this has made it much easier for the police and the traders. We are hopefully heading towards a more European approach to drinking alcohol."

Sgt Baines said the police in East Lancashire had been working hard with various initiatives which had also played a part in decreased crime and vowed they would continue.

She cited police crackdowns on juvenile nuisance called Operation Summer Nights', and its winter equivalent Operation Shepherd' as well as a barring scheme from pubs and clubs known as Best Bar None.' She reminded drinkers of the safe haven bus which will provide a lifeline to people who are drunken, distressed or vulnerable on a night out in Blackburn or Darwen.

The yellow bus will be run by volunteers to provide a refuge to revellers who become lost or separated from their friends. It will have seating and a treatment table where first aid can be administered.

The scheme, the first of its type in the North West will start in mid December for a 12-month trial and will be available from 9.30pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The bus will probably be stationed outside the magistrates court, Northgate, Blackburn, for the first three weeks although that is yet to be confirmed.