A survey by West Mercia Police said people were now reporting more offences in Shrewsbury as new CSOs had "enhanced [people's] confidence" in the police.

The snapshot study also found the 24-hour drinking law had not cut alcohol-fuelled incidents in the town.

But general crime in the borough has fallen by 22% since 2004.

People go out to drink to oblivion and that's when we have the problems Councillor Judith Williams

The study, for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, looked at reported offences from November 2004 to September 2007.

It showed a monthly average of 40 more anti-social and alcohol related crimes in 2007 than throughout 2004.

'Scrap of difference'

And there was a sharp rise in incidents during the 2006 World Cup, the report said.

"The overall increase could easily be attributed to the addition of more CSOs to the Shrewsbury area, which has led to enhanced confidence in police and therefore an increase in the number of reports being made," it said.

Judith Williams, cabinet member for licensing at Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, said: "The later opening hours don't seem to have made a scrap of difference.

"People go out to drink to oblivion and that's when we have the problems."