SOME rail services into York will be alcohol-free zones today.

British Transport Police were monitoring services into York from Middlesbrough this morning, to ensure they were “dry”, following complaints from passengers in recent weeks.

BTP Chief Inspector Derek O’Mara said: “We have also seen an increasing trend of large groups of people from Teesside travelling down to York for the day to visit pubs and bars then returning in the early evening. A number of these people are pre-loading or bringing large quantities of alcohol with them to consume on the train prior to their arrival in York.

“Trains are not extensions of bars and clubs; they are used by everyone including families, young people and the elderly. Other passengers do not want to travel and be subjected to the drunk, intoxicated and often intimidating behaviour of others under the influence of alcohol.

Similar restrictions were used during an operation in December last year, as a way of helping prevent drink-related antisocial behaviour.