The study compares the effectiveness of alcohol-related crime prevention measures put in place between 2005 and 2010 through licensing regulation in Newcastle (NSW) and the voluntary programs run in Geelong (Victoria). The study reviews hospital, police and ambulance records to evaluate the rates of alcohol-related harm based on 4000 patron interviews and 129 unannounced venue observations undertaken and community attitudes towards alcohol-related harm and the available policy options canvassed. Across this very large range of data, the key findings are that a substantial amount of harm was associated with pre-drinking and that measures that dealt directly with alcohol consumption employed in Newcastle, such as restricted trading hours, were the most effective in reducing alcohol-related crime. (Author abstract, edited)