GOVERNMENT plans to give police the power to shut down rowdy pubs were today branded "reactionary" in East Lancashire.

Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday held a summit meeting with chief constables from the five largest force in England and Wales where he gave officers ranked inspector or above the power to close down pubs on the spot.

Pubs involved in trouble will be closed for up to 48 hours until the council's licensing department reviews the situation.

The aim is to combat the rising numbers in violent crime.

East Lancashire police figures for disorder and anti-social behaviour in April and March for the Eastern division fell by nearly 9 per cent compared to the same period last year but at 21,628 were still the highest in Lancashire - almost double some divisions. Pennine dropped 9.3 per cent although were the second highest in the county at 20,010. Despite the figures Geoff Sutcliffe, chairman of the Blackburn and District Licence Victualler's Association (LVA), said Tony Blair's plan was a knee-jerk reaction to the bad press received by England fans following the violence in Euro 2000. "It is a case of closing the door after the horse has bolted and I don't think it is workable," said Mr Sutcliffe, who is also chairman of the North West LVA federation. "In areas where there are a few pubs together and trouble starts outside which pub will be targeted by the police. That is the danger and before the police take someone's livelihood away they would have to be 100 per cent certain."

Mr Sutcliffe, landlord of the Rising Sun, on Whalley New Road, Wilpshire, added that drunken yobs -- targeted by this plan -- could also name a different pub when challenged by the police.

"If the trouble is actually in the pub and the police have to enter then obviously that place should be closed but if the trouble is on the streets who is to say they have not been drinking at home or that drugs are involved as well"

Chief Inspector Mick Gledhill, of Blackburn Police said: "We would welcome any initiative that would assist us in tackling crime and disorder issues. However the details of how it would operate are as yet to be discussed."