FEARS that changes in pub opening hours could lead to an increase in crime in the Hambleton district have proved unfounded.

The latest police figures revealed that violent crime across the area dropped 13 per cent over the past six months.

And licensing enforcement will be strengthened next month when a new officer joins the Hambleton Community Partnership team.

When he becomes the district's licensing officer, PC Martyn Davies will join a team which includes partners from local authorities, the police, magistrates, pubs, taxi drivers and retailers.

He will spend the majority of his time working in the community, dealing with problems as they arise and at the time they are committed.

He will also specifically target the problem of under-age drinking and the way in which groups of young people are getting hold of alcohol.

His appointment comes a year after the Government's licensing act came into force, transferring responsibility for licences to local councils and giving pubs the opportunity of opening round the clock.

Sergeant Matt France, the partnership officer, said: "Prior to the introduction of the new laws, there was huge concern about 24-hour drinking, binge-drinking and the impact of associated anti-social behaviour, such as criminal damage, vandalism and littering.

"Here in Hambleton, we have seen violent crime drop by 13 per cent over the past six months.

"Seventy three fewer offences were committed than last year."

He said a variety of groups had a role to play in ensuring that people felt safe at night.

Sgt France said: "It falls to Hambleton's fleet of taxi drivers to ensure that the throng of people who leave the pubs and clubs at the end of the day are cleared.

"Without their help, things may be very different in the early hours.

"Then we have an ever-watching eye in the guise of CCTV operators, who have dedicated links to all street police officers.

"They can tell when trouble is about to arise and alert the police, who often manage to diffuse a situation quickly.

"Even if we don't make it in time and the offenders flee, everything is being recorded and few people escape our attention."