Warning of the problems caused by binge drinking, Michael Howard has launched a five-point plan to get to grips with Britain's yob culture.

Promising that a Conservative government would not "turn a blind eye" to those who bend or break the rules, Howard pledged to recruit 5,000 more police officers a year and free them from time-consuming paperwork.

He outlined planned reforms to licensing laws, designed to grant councils more flexibility to reject applications for bar licenses, and involve local people in licensing decisions.

And he also pledged a blanket ban on "all you can drink" promotions.

"Talk to any police officer and they'll tell you that a lot of the crime in our towns and cities is fuelled by alcohol," the Tory leader said.

"I don't want members of the public looking over their shoulders - I want the yobs looking round in fear. 

"Instead of greeting the police with contempt I want them to fear them. Now I use that word deliberately - fear. I want to make yobs fear the police.

"And by putting fear into the hearts of yobs - we'll give hope to the decent law-abiding families who do the right thing and play by the rules.

"Britain deserves a government that upholds the law - and that's what a Conservative government will deliver."