A FESTIVE crackdown on alcohol and drug-related anti-social behaviour has been launched in York city centre.
Police officers were out in force to encourage revellers to alternate their nights out with nights at home, and alternate their alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.
The campaign, called Operation ALTN8, is run by the Safer York Partnership and saw Police Community Support Officers chatting with passers-by in St Helen’s Square and handing out free bottles of water, free maps of the city centre and free condoms.
A media van with a large screen playing various anti-binge drinking and anti-drug driving adverts was also parked in the square on Friday night.
One advert displayed images of a drug-abuser’s face, showing how it deteriorated over a ten-year period. Sergeant Jon Asvadi, who was carrying out high-visibility patrols with a team of five police constables, said there only 11 reports of anti-social behaviour during the two nights. The campaign will continue on December 12 and 13, and 18 and 19.
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