Residents worried about binge-drinking are using the new licensing laws to try to shut down 'problem' pubs and bars.
They are organising mass petitions and lodging formal objections to licence applications.
Some residents have also taken to filming drunken behaviour as evidence that landlords are "encouraging anti-social behaviour".
Their activities are being co-ordinated by the Network of Residents' Associations.
In Shrewsbury, residents are gathering evidence against two pubs - the Old Lion Tap and the Admiral Benbow.
Nearly 50,000 pubs, restaurants and takeaways face closure in the autumn after missing the weekend deadline to apply for a new drinks licence.
But The Sunday Times says 75% are believed to have submitted their applications.
Only a handful of pubs want to serve alcohol around the clock.
A senior policeman has dismissed Government claims that top officers back the new licensing laws.
Andy Trotter, deputy chief of the British Transport Police, fears there could be a rise in binge-drinking and violence.
He pointed out that alcohol-fuelled violence round pubs and clubs had soared 14% over the last year.
And he dismissed suggestions that Britons are suddenly going to turn into "wine-sipping Continentals".
Mr Trotter wants an early review of the effects of the Licensing Act.
He was backed by former Health Secretary Frank Dobson.
The Labour MP accused the Government of being mesmerised by lobby groups talking about "the 14-hour city and the importance of the night-time economy".
The Sunday Times 07/08/05 page 4
The Observer 07/08/05 page 6
The Sunday Telegraph 07/08/05 (Business) page 2
The Independent on Sunday 07/08/05 (Business) page 1
The Mail on Sunday 07/08/05 pages 13 & 25
