CRIME fuelled by drink is on the increase in a North-East town, prompting calls by police to call time on the granting of more late-night licences.

Cleveland Police say alcohol-related disorder in Middlesbrough town centre has reached "a totally unacceptable level".

Shock figures released by the force reveal:

* A 46.1 per cent rise in recorded crimes associated with licensed premises;

* A 74.8 per cent increase in anti-social behaviour linked to licensed premises;

* Outlying housing estates denuded of police cover as more and more officers are drafted in to the town centre to deal with drunken behaviour.

There are 72 licensed premises in the centre of Middlesbrough and 50 of these have public entertainment licences.

A letter from force solicitor Caroline Llewellyn says: "Middlesbrough town centre is already over-saturated with late-night licences.

"Police resources are necessarily being removed from the suburbs to deal with the amount of patrons pouring into Middlesbrough town centre, attracted by the culture of late-night entertainment.''

The letter will be considered by the next meeting of Middlesbrough Council's licensing committee, when it discusses an application from The Empire nightclub, in Middlesbrough's Corporation Road, for a variation of hours and conditions, including extending closing time on Fridays and Saturdays from 2am to 3am.

Ashley Wem, making the application on behalf of The Empire, said the extension would attract high-profile DJs and bands, and a better clientele, through the introduction of "sensible door charges and drinks pricing".

He said the club had not experienced any problems when it has had an occasional 3am licence in the past.

The Empire also wants to remove the licence condition restricting admission to over 18-year-olds.

But Cleveland Police object to the proposed package, claiming similar experiments have led to problems.