Alcohol fuels more than half of city centre crimes

More than half of violent crimes reported in York city centre are fuelled by alcohol, according to a police report.

Councillors will be told that 1,005 violent crimes were recorded in the area between April 2023 and March 2024.

Most were reported between 14:00 and 18:00, with August being the month when the highest number of incidents were recorded.

In a report, council officers said the level of crimes was regularly reviewed as "evidence shows that the cumulative impact of the number and concentration of licensed premises in this area continues to adversely affect residents, visitors and other businesses".

Councillors hearing applications to license new pubs, bars and other venues take the impact of all these licensed premises into account if objections against bids are lodged.

Coney Street saw the highest number of offences in the past year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It was followed by Blake Street and Low Ousegate.

North Yorkshire Police recorded 1,005 violent offences in the city centre in the past year - a slight decrease on the 1,027 reported in the previous year.

Councillors will discuss the data at a meeting on Wednesday.

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