New figures showing a fall in alcohol-related crime vindicate the decision to extend pub opening hours, the government has said.
Ministers had faced a wave of criticism over the move last November to liberalise licensing laws, amid concern that it could encourage binge drinking and add to the burdens on police forces.
But figures on Wednesday revealed that violent crime fell during a Christmas blitz on alcohol-related disorder.
Total violent crime was down 11 per cent, while serious violent crime fell 21 per cent.
In total, some 25,486 arrests were made, while there was also a clampdown on shops selling alcohol to minors.
Speaking in the Commons, Tony Blair said the licensing reforms were not just about longer opening hours.
"There were also additional powers given to the police and local communities to make sure that those who abuse the licensing system are more severely dealt with," he said.
"Flexible licensing balanced by these additional powers was the right thing to do and I think has been shown to have been the right thing to do."
Critics, however, have warned that it is not possible to conclude that longer hours have helped cut crime as the figures cover a period when the police were given £2.5m to target alcohol-related crime.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said the figures only showed that "if you put more bobbies on the street you will cut crime".
"However these figures are a result of a six-week crack down on violence which cost £2.5m - what happens when this money runs out?" he asked.
"The government should not use these bogus, inappropriate and spun statistics to justify its 24-hour drinking proposals – especially just after the home secretary admitted how concerned he was that government crime statistics were confusing.
"They should wait and assess the effect of longer drinking hours over a 12-month period at least."
Police have also said it will take longer to assess the full impact of the changes.
Despite that, ministers will be relieved that critics warning longer hours would automatically lead to more trouble in the streets have not yet been proved right.
"The important thing is that what the police operation was designed to do was show the police how the new powers could be applied and to embed the good practice," said the prime minister's official spokesman. "We want that to continue."
Home secretary Charles Clarke welcomed the figures and said the alcohol misuse enforcement campaign [AMEC] had helped cut violent offences.
"Today's figures are a credit to all those committed to tackling alcohol related disorder," he said.
"The police work that has lead to the success of AMEC will now continue on a daily basis as part of everyday mainstream police activities to help drive home the message that we will not allow the drunken behaviour of the minority to impact the lives of the decent majority of people who enjoy a sensible drink with family and friends."
Culture secretary Tessa Jowell also credited the new licensing laws with reducing violence on the streets.
"We won't eradicate alcohol-related crime and disorder overnight, we know that," she said.
"But today's figures show a problem in the process of being dealt with.
"They send a clear message to rogue traders and drink fuelled troublemakers everywhere - we're using the full weight of the law to come after you.
"And, thanks to the new licensing laws, the police and local authorities have joined forces to use tougher powers to deal with the problem at the source.
"We'll be checking over coming months to ensure the new laws are having a tangible, positive effect on the streets of our town and city centres."
