Police in Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Humberside are using an innovative computer system to tackle the problem of alcohol-fuelled violence as new licensing laws come into force.

The Inn Keeper system combines the administrative needs of licensing with a powerful intelligence capability that delivers information on alcohol-related crime.

This means that as well as assisting police with new licensing applications from pubs, clubs and other businesses, Inn Keeper will also help officers identify problem premises and patterns of disorder much more quickly.

The computer system goes live ahead of changes to the licensing laws in England and Wales. All premises that supply alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment have to apply for a licence under the new updated Licensing Act 2003 which comes into force on November 24 this year.

All information related to licensed premises - including incidents of alcohol-related violence and disorder and visits by police, under-age or after hours drinking, and other breaches of licensing conditions - is recorded on Inn Keeper. Having such information instantly available will be crucial when police want to oppose licensing applications.

Officers can also input information required under the new Act, such as information on alcohol and non-alcohol operating hours, and details about premises including the location of fire exits and crowd capacity. The Act allows pubs and bars to stay open for up to 24 hours, and combines alcohol and entertainment licences into one single licence.

Inspector Bob Crombie of Norfolk Police, who is responsible for licensing policy and for the introduction of Inn Keeper, said: "Inn Keeper will enable all staff in the constabulary, for the first time, to know instantly under what terms and conditions licensed premises are operating. This will include opening hours, what licensable activities are allowed, details of designated premises supervisors and owners of the premises.

"With the new licensing Act, premises will all have different opening hours up to 24 hours per day and Inn Keeper will be crucial in providing this information, as well as intelligence on premises which are not fulfilling their obligations under the four licensing objectives which relate to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm."

Sergeant Frank Fender, a licensing officer with Bedfordshire Police, said: "The new licensing legislation requires us to be able to monitor premises more accurately and effectively.

"The data contained on Inn Keeper will enable us to be more efficient and effective in our work with others to combat crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour. Inn Keeper will help us to target the right premises and help them reduce such incidents - this is vital in helping us deliver a quality service to the world of licensing."

Inspector Steve Page of Humberside Police said: "Not only is Inn Keeper a useful administration tool allowing the input of the hours, events and incidents relating to the premises for example, but a web-based program provides data access to frontline staff on a 24/7 basis to assist them with their supervision of premises.

"In this new era where a fundamental change in the licensing law means monitoring premises more closely to help to measure the impact on policing in general in our cities and towns, Inn Keeper will significantly reduce the burden of scouring through paper records and to help make quick decisions."