Westminster Council claims a drop in alcohol-related crime since the introduction of the Licensing Act is due to its tough stance on later opening.
Westminster, famed in the trade for its stringent licensing conditions, said that alcohol-related crimes have dropped by an average of 63 a month since 2005. The monthly average is now 1,346 offences.
Councillor Tony Devenish believes that it is Westminster's policies and not the actual relaxation of licensing laws that has sparked the downturn.
"Westminster's tough licensing policies and close work the police mean that despite the introduction of the 24-hour drinking ban, we have been able to control and even reduce the amount of crime," he said.
Council-led schemes such as the Safer Night campaign conducted over Christmas were also seen as an important part of the success.
Mark Hastings, director of communications at the British Beer and Pub Association said: "Westminster's success reinforces a position we have always stated. That proper use of and rigorously enforced licensing policies are a very effective weapon against alcohol-related crime and encourage responsible pub management by owners."
Despite the drop in crime, the council is requesting increased funding to fill a £3.5m deficit accrued since the change-over.
Devenish claimed that the ultimate losers will be tax-payers as the money will have to come from the Council's own coffers.
"While prudence and expertise can get us round the Licensing Act's 24-hour drinking clause, it is much more difficult to plug a £3.5m hole, especially during a recession," he said.
However Hastings added: "At a time when pubs across London are closing and cost are escalating through both tax and licensing, it would be an extremely imprudent time to raise costs."
"I would encourage Westminster to reduce their costs by employing a more cost effective method than their current scheme which has been proven to cost significantly more than other processes employed by other councils."