Figures exclusive to The Herald show a 61 per cent drop in assaults committed between 3am and 6am on Saturdays and Sundays over 12 months.

The NSW Government has welcomed the results, measured from March 2008 when a 1am inner-city lockout and a 3am curfew on Newcastle late-night venues were introduced.

The NSW Licensing Court ordered the new closing time, bans on shots and limits on the number of drinks served to individuals after 10pm.

The data also shows a 41 per cent drop in assaults in Newcastle and Newcastle West on Saturdays and Sundays between 1am and 6am.

NSW Police Minister Michael Daley said he was paying close attention to the results as Newcastle's lockout and closing time restrictions were the first of their kind in NSW.

"This is obviously great news for local police and great news for the local community as a lot of work has gone into ensuring that the Newcastle CBD is a safe place to be during these hours," he said.

"But it's important to remember that while police do their best to create safe environments and deal with troublemakers, they can only do so much.

"It's also about individual responsibility you have the choice to stop drinking when you've had enough and it's your decision to throw a punch or walk away from a fight.

"In some cases you'll have to live with the results of these decisions for the rest of your life."

However, the Government also sounded a note of caution because the results showed a rise in assaults committed during operating hours.

Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay said it showed more work needed to be done with licensees and police.

"In the 12-month period since the changes were introduced, an additional five assaults have occurred between 10pm Friday night and 1am Saturday morning when many venues are still operational," she said.

"It is clear that the responsibility for the rates of violence at some of our pubs and clubs can't rest on the shoulders of licensees alone."