PEOPLE arriving in York by train are being issued with codes of conduct so that they know what is and isn't appropriate behaviour.

That's all right then. For a while, we were worried that the authorities weren't taking the problem of drunken-antisocial behaviour in the city centre on Saturdays seriously enough.

To be fair to the city council and the police, whose idea this is, handing out codes of conduct to hen and stag parties won't do any harm.

The codes state that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated, either on trains, at the station, or in York itself - whether on the streets or in pubs or other licensed premises. Among other things which the code says will not be tolerated: bad language, inappropriate fancy dress and 'inflatables' - for which read blow-up penises and the like.

This is all fine. But what is really needed is regular tough action to enforce this code. We need more police out on Friday and Saturday nights willing to arrest those whose behaviour is getting out of hand.

And there also needs to be tough action against bar staff who continue to serve those who are clearly already very much the worse for drink.

We don't wish to deter anyone from wanting to visit York.

But certain types of behaviour - behaviour which, at times, can turn parts of the centre of York into what are almost no-go areas for decent families - are just not acceptable. They spoil this city for the rest of us.

It is up to the police, working with the city council, to get on top of this problem. A code of conduct should be only the start.