Alcohol-fuelled street crime can be beaten, according to the Home Office.

A report investigating violence on UK streets released on Tuesday found weekend binge drinkers are the cause of most drink-related violence.

Home Office research found there are a number of ways to reduce alcohol-related crime including better trained door staff at pubs and clubs as well as alcohol education in schools.

Official research into a pilot scheme in Cardiff found alcohol-related assaults were cut by four per cent and targeted policing cut incidents by 41 per cent despite an increase in the number of licensed premises.

The Home Office also found that 39 per cent of 18-24 year olds binge drink and that drinking to excess is strongly linked to crime.

Official figures show that young men in the age bracket are more likely to be victims of drink-related crime than any other offences.

The findings come despite the government's decision to press ahead with plans to allow 24 hour drinking in pubs - which was debated in the Commons on Monday.

New police powers to immediately close noisy bars and clubs for up to 24 hours and tougher penalties for off-licences selling alcohol to under 18s have been among recent new powers aimed at tackling the problem.

Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth claimed better policing and working with publicans could cut crime and the end to drinking up at closing time would also help.

"Yobbishness at chucking out time can cause a terrible strain on town centres and misery to those living nearby," he said.

"We know that violent crime is often fuelled by alcohol - the British Crime Survey shows that 47 per cent of violent crimes are committed by offenders who have been drinking. These reports make an important contribution to the evidence base on alcohol-related crime and disorder and will help us to develop current and future initiatives to tackle the problem."