A police chief has called for a temporary clampdown on new licences in a Midlands city - and said the ban should be extended if it's decided there are too many pubs in the area.
Derby's Chief Superintendent Andy Hough said a moratorium should be in place for three months, while a review of the city centre's night-time economy takes place.
And he called for this ban to be extended if the review found there were already enough pubs and clubs in Derby.
"A moratorium would enable the city council, police, current licensees and other agencies to decide what we think is an acceptable level of licensed and late-licensed premises," he said.
Chief Supt Hough said a temporary ban on allowing pubs and bars to vary their licences should also be considered.
He claimed current measures to crackdown on "irresponsible" venues, such as temporarily closing them, did not always work.
Ch Supt Hough was responding to a proposal by a local councillor, Fareed Hussain, who said not looking at a temporary ban would be "irresponsible".
However Richard Matthews, the British Beer & Pub Association's (BBPA) Midlands secretary, said he was "surprised" by the police chief's comments - and has written to him offering a meeting.
"If there are particular issues and concerns then these could be addressed by the Licensing Act," he said. "I'm not sure what a three-month ban would achieve, it seems a strange tactic."
Matthews said the BBPA would be happy to help if there are gaps in the "partnership" between the authorities and licensees in Derby.