RESIDENTS have held a meeting with local councillors, police and representatives of York Racecourse to discuss how future events are managed.

The meeting took place on Friday evening, with a number of local residents in attendance, and Councillor Jonny Crawshaw, who called the meeting said residents understood that the majority of people who attended the races did not cause a problem.

He said: "There was a general recognition that whilst the vast majority of racegoers cause no trouble whatsoever, a relatively small number can have a disproportionately large, negative impact on local residents.

"The main complaints centred around public urination and loud, sometimes verbally abusive behaviour, frequently as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. We agreed steps to better manage the flow of pedestrians leaving the racecourse and will review the positioning and number of temporary toilets available."

Cllr Crawshaw said residents had been reassured that police "deploy every available resource as effectively as they can", and Sgt Danny Leach said the feedback from residents was important to the force, and this was the second time a meeting of this kind has been held this racing season.

Sgt Leach said: "We wanted to get residents in to see what they thought the problems were. They're the ones suffering the antisocial behaviour.

"The feedback I have had from staff is that it's been an improvement on previous years but I'm mindful we're not here to keep staff happy. I'm here to do what we can for the residents, and it's interesting to hear what they say."

Sgt Leach said issues of where officers are positioned had been raised, along with the possibility of cordoning off certain streets to free up officers to monitor other areas.

He said: "It's important for me to try and get it as right as I can for as many people as possible. There will always be people who don't agree, but we have to try and do the best we can with what we have got for as many people as we can. This feedback makes the job a lot easier, knowing what residents want."

Cllr Crawshaw said William Darby, CEO of York Racecourse, stressed the venue's "ongoing desire to work with and support the local community, of which they feel a part, in order to minimise the impact of race goers and be a responsible neighbour".

Cllr Crawshaw said residents were encouraged by police, councillors and the racecourse to continue reporting incidents, even if only minor, "so that a better picture of potential hot spots can be established and the policing operation be further refined".

Racecourse spokesman James Brennan said the course generated £58 million for the local economy, had been there since 1731 and was a part of the local community, but it could not be responsible for the behaviour of 360,000 people after they had left the racecourse each year.

A third meeting is planned to take place at the end of the season, and a community meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday, June 25, at Hamilton Panthers FC in Knavesmire Road, to address antisocial behaviour more generally on Little Knavesmire, Scarcroft Allotments and the surrounding area, with police, City of York Council and youth workers in attendance.