NSW defends drunk violence strategy THE NSW government has defended its efforts to tackle alcohol-related violence amid growing criticism it is falling short. The criticism comes ahead of Sydney's busiest night of the year - New Year's Eve - when police, publicans and paramedics will have their hands full across the city. Police Minister Michael Gallacher defended the sobering-up centres, which accommodate drunk people who have refused police orders to move on. He said in a statement on Monday the centres were one of the "measures providing a real deterrent to drunk and disorderly behaviour" on the streets. This is despite only 197 people having used the centres since they opened in July. Mr Gallacher said in the last 30 days police issued 156 move-on directions, only four of which were refused. This indicated the government's process for targeting drunk individuals was working, he said. "There is no silver bullet for alcohol-related violence, which is why the government has rolled out multiple, complementary strategies to tackle the problem," the statement said. With alcohol-related assaults declining, it's clear they're working. Mr Gallacher was responding to a News Corp Australia article that reported a more than 20 per cent increase in the number of liquor licences granted over the past five years. The O'Farrell government has resisted calls to implement the "Newcastle-model," including earlier lock-outs and alcohol sale restrictions, in Sydney. Mr Gallacher said the sobering-up centres, additional police, stronger police move-on powers and initiatives in Kings Cross have contributed to a 33 per cent reduction in violent incidents in licensed premises since last year.