Clubbers are to be breathalysed by bouncers before entering venues in a bid to clamp down on alcohol-fuelled violence.

Revellers who have drunk more than twice the legal driving limit could be turned away from nightspots in Croydon town centre as part of a police operation launching later this month.

It follows a trial at two late-licensed venues during November, in which clubbers were screened with a breathalyser on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. 

The devices light up if a user's breath contains 80mg of alcohol per 100ml, which police believe will help door staff to identify intoxicated customers who could become violent.

Violent crime in Croydon rose by 24 per cent last year compared to 2013. There were 8,300 violent incidents reported in 2014, compared to 6,275 the previous year.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Early anecdotal evidence suggests the trial had positive results with the venues supportive of the devices. 

"The venues reported fewer altercations caused by intoxicated customers attempting to gain entry and consequently a reduction in the potential for alcohol related disorder to take place inside their premises."

The scheme is likely to be extended across the capital after the success of the trial in Croydon.

Croydon Council has bought six breathalysers in preparation for policy's implementation, although two have been loaned to Havering Council which is trialling them in Romford town centre.

It is the second strategy aimed at cutting booze-fuelled crime to be roadtested in Croydon in six months. In July, a year-long pilot scheme in which 150 offenders were fitted with so-called "sobriety tags" launched at Croydon Magistrates' Court. 

The tags detect alcohol consumpton by monitoring sweat and alert an offender's probation officer so they can be recalled to court to face resentencing.

The Met last year also chose Croydon as one of nine boroughs to trial officers wearing body cameras to record evidence of violent crime.

Should clubbers be breathalysed before entering venues? Tell us your thoughts by posting a comment below or emailing chris.baynes@london.newsquest.co.uk