HALF of all violent crime in Devon last year was alcohol-related and so "completely avoidable", MPs have heard at Westminster.

The extent of the booze-fuelled violence totalling nearly 5,000 incidents was highlighted as concerns were raised with ministers that moves to and ban the sale of booze below cost price did not go far enough in dealing with the problem.

But the government says the step is an "initial package", and there would be further measures aimed at tackling the issue.

It comes after ministers unveiled watered-down plans to ban the sale of alcohol below cost price which critics say gives a "green light for supermarkets to keep selling booze at pocket-money prices".

It was promised as part of efforts to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder which costs the taxpayer up to £13 billion each year.

But the much-touted move will see cost price defined as just duty plus VAT and will have little if any impact on cut-price supermarket deals, campaigners said.