Southend police have opposed virtually all applications for late licences in the town centre for the past two years.

Deputy divisional commander Steve Currell told the committee: "Our objection is not that the premises are not well run - it is the cumulative effect we are concerned about.

"Most criminal damage is caused on Fridays and Saturday between 10pm and 4am."

After the result he said: "All is not lost for licensed premises - but we have drawn a line in the sand. If they don't put measures into operating schedules to ensure that crime and disorder is not likely to increase then we will oppose those applications."

Licensing officer Sgt Matt Bell told the sub-committee that the number of premises with public entertainment licences had increased in the past ten years from 15 with a total capacity of 4,665 to 25 with a current total capacity of 12,963.

He said 24 per cent of violent offences in the borough take place in the Milton Ward with an average 18 assaults a night.