POLICE in York are gearing up for their busiest nights of the year.

The run up to Christmas, when many people finish work for the festive period or go out for parties at bars and venues around the city, sees thousands of people out over just a few nights.

Sergeant Andy Godfrey oversees the city centre police team, and said: "It's difficult to predict exactly what sort of numbers and issues you're going to have but we have certainly tried to prepare for some busy nights.

"Friday is traditionally the day where people tend to finish work early, and we expect to be quite busy with shoppers and large groups of work staff from midday onwards.We have a lot of extra numbers in on nights, 12 Special Constables to help police the night time economy and brought a few extra staff in throughout the afternoon and we will be going into the pubs and engaging with people all in the Christmas spirit but letting them know we're around. It's about getting them into the mindset police are going to be out in force."

Sgt Godfrey said all officers, PCSOs and Special Constables would be able to issue dispersal orders this weekend, and all were working closely with doorstaff to look out for drunk and vulnerable people.

He said: "Hopefully people are going to have a really enjoyable time with their families, but we don't want them to ruin it on their first day out of work by going out and getting so drunk you fail to look after yourself or your friends.

"We're getting some door staff and licencees invited to a briefing to pool staff together and have a bit of a scrumdown about what will be a busy night ahead. It's always a good idea to get names to faces we will be working with on busy nights."

Sgt Godfrey said the door staff were a vital part of helping police with their patrols, especially on busy nights.

He said: "We are drinking and to look out for the signs of danger and part of the patrol plans will be looking towards the riversand that will be something we will discuss with the door supervisors because they are good eyes and ears for us for highlighting anyone they think is vulnerable.

"They can help us spot vulnerable people long before they go towards the river and we can make sure they get the support or reunited with their friendsor get the Street Angelsdown to look after them and if they are that bad, then we call for an ambulance but we know they will be as strapped as we are at this time."