The end of 24-hour drinking could be in sight.

Round-the-clock drinking laws came into force five years ago, with a promise to usher into Britain a continental-style cafe culture.

However, critics have repeatedly pointed out this has not been the reality.

Now the new coalition Government has ordered a wholesale review. Home Secretary Theresa May said she is determined to examine problems created by the "binge-drinking culture", including street violence and other crimes.

Speaking at the Police Federation conference this week, she said she opposed the 2003 Licensing Act when it was introduced by the previous administration.

Ms May said: "We are going to look at the licensing laws. I was in opposition when the new laws were introduced and I argued against them.

"I argued that those were the sorts of problems that would come about, but I was told we would have a cafe culture. We think they have produced problems on the streets.

"There are some other issues to look at around the binge-drinking culture. We think it is right that we do review these laws."

A 2008 government review of the new laws recorded that crime and alcohol consumption were down overall.

Speaking to the Post shortly before Christmas 2007, Inspector Andrew Kingdom said: "In terms of policing, the Licensing Act has made no significant difference at all.

"The act might have been more generous with licensing hours, but it's also far more proactive in tackling premises that are causing problems."

The laws allowed pubs and clubs in England and Wales to apply for later, or even 24-hour, licences to serve alcohol.

City-based GP Ian Millington said the increased opportunity to drink had created more problems.

He said: "The idea was to tailor the drinking to the demand and get away from this last orders swill.

"We have got to remember that the later the drinking, the more risk of anti-social behaviour later at night."

Dr Millington added that binge-drinking and morning-after driving were both more likely to cause problems under the 24-hour drinking rules.

Asked by reporters if the current law was likely to be scrapped, Ms May said she wants to see the results of the review.

She said: "We are having a complete review of licensing laws, but I am not going to talk about what is going to come out of that review.

"This is an evidence-based approach rather than pulling an answer to that question out of the top of my head.

"It is important that the review is allowed to go ahead."

Dr Millington, who is secretary of Morgannwg Local Medical Committee, said he was pleased to see the new government take a look at the laws.

He said: "To see some common sense coming in and a call for a review is a good idea.

"It creates all sorts of problems. I'm not sure the police have the resources to regulate this strictly."

Alex Brown