A CRISIS meeting has been called by police and City of York Council over claims that anti-social behaviour from big groups of visitors from the North-East has become a “major issue”.

City centre landlords and nightclub bosses in York have been called to an emergency gathering, claiming raucous stag and hen parties from the North-East and South Yorkshire are turning the centre of York into a “no go area” for residents and tourists on Saturdays.

Many residents say anti-social and drunken behaviour blights the city from early afternoon and the sight of large parties brandishing blow-up dolls down shopping streets prompts them to stay away from the city altogether and puts off other tourists.

But some have claimed regional prejudice against the North-East and South Yorkshire and say the majority are well-behaved and spending money in the city.

A joint letter to licensees from police and the City of York Council, states: “As you will be aware York city-centre is a very popular destination for stag and hen parties on a weekend, along with day visitors from the North-East and South Yorkshire, who travel to York by train.

“The antisocial behaviour caused by these visitors has become a major issue for North Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police and City of York Council.

“The city is becoming a “no go area” for York residents and tourists on a Saturday. York is no longer viewed as a safe, family-friendly city on a Saturday."

Middlesbrough Mayor, Cllr David Budd, said attracting city centre trade, including drinkers, was a difficult balance for all cities to maintain.

“We’re all trying hard to attract people to all sorts of places, including hen parties and stag parties. I guess you can’t do that and then complain about it when it goes wrong - the balance is awkward.”

Another resident, who says he no longer brings his three-year-old son into the city centre at weekends because of the unruly groups said: "Big groups are ruining it for everyone else, there are no two ways about it. The letter is a bit regionalist but you can't skip around the fact that's where people are coming from."

Kate McMullen, head of marketing at the tourism body Make It York, said the city's lively bar and nightlife scene was part of its varied appeal, and was used responsibly by the majority, but said: "We are not supportive of proactively encouraging groups to the city who visit only to drink.

"We welcome initiatives that ensure a pleasant and safe city centre environment for all and it is crucially important we work together to make York a vibrant, safe and enjoyable place to live and visit."

Steve Waddington, the city council's assistant director of community safety, said concerns related to a minority of city-centre visitors and said the council was working with other organisations including the police and train companies to address the issue.