Ban on 'happy hours' leads to drop in crime

A pilot scheme to put an end to "happy hours" has led to a dramatic fall in drunken violence.

Councils across London are now looking to introduce similar tactics to end the yob culture, which costs Britain more than ?20billion a year.

Most Richmond pubs have signed up to the 10-point code, which came into effect on 1 October and includes an end to "promotions involving aggressive discounting of alcoholic drinks that appear to encourage binge drinking".

Figures today reveal violent crime in Richmond and Twickenham centres has fallen by 35 per cent - from 224 last month with about 90 fuelled by alcohol - to a predicted 55 for October.

Boroughs across London could soon adopt the code and Westminster has already held meetings with Richmond.

But the move has sparked a row with pub chain J D Wetherspoon, which has yet to sign up.

Evening Standard understands if the company fails to comply with the code, its pub licences could be revoked.