NEW and extended alcohol restriction rules have been praised in a council report.

The report, which will go before the Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, includes an update on the work of Safer York Partnership's Alcohol, Violence & Night Time Economy (AVANTE) group.

It says the results of research from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will be released in the next few weeks, and praises the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), which looks at areas in the city where the sale of alcohol or alcohol consumption can create vulnerability or problems in society, which has been extended.

Under the CIZ, applications for a premises licence which would be likely to increase problems in the area would be refused, unless the applicant can demonstrate how their venue will not contribute to the issue.

That area now includes Back Swinegate, Spurriergate, Goodramgate and Fossgate, and all bars, off-licences, supermarkets and convenience stores within the area.

The report says: "North Yorkshire Police report positive results from the extended CIZ. This has allowed them to object to or negotiate robust conditions on new applications.

"The police have found that many prospective applicants are deterred from opening new venues when they are made aware of the CIZ."

The Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ), which allows police and council officers to confiscate alcohol from anyone drinking in the streets within the city walls or at the railway station, has also been beneficial to reducing antisocial behaviour, according to the report.

It said: "The ARZ has greatly assisted both North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police officers in managing antisocial behaviour and disorder, football related disorder and street drinking."