TRAIN stations could become the latest booze battleground when 24-hour drinking is unleashed, according to transport police chiefs.

Senior police officers feared extending opening hours was an "unhealthy recipe" for violence as revellers raced to catch the last train or bus home.

They pointed out that although staggered closing times was expected to prevent crowds gathering in the streets, many drinkers would be brought together at railway stations.

As revealed in Evening Press last week, some York bars have already asked to open until 4am when the new Licensing Act comes into force in November.

The police warning came as city leaders considered new crime figures that reveal violent crime in the city is soaring, with 3,182 crimes in 2004, a rise of 395 crimes on the previous year.

Superintendent David Farrelly, of British Transport Police, who is responsible for the North East region, said the changes might well put extra pressure on his officers.

He was reacting to comments by senior rank-and-file union representatives, who said the changes would create a "dramatic" increase in attacks on station staff and officers.

Superintendent Farrelly said: "The problem often is that there are only so many places on late trains.

"The point of staggered licensing hours is that premises will not empty at the same time and that is a good idea.

"But if they are relying on public transport, as many people do, the going home time is dictated by the timetable.

"People will still go for the last trains. They are not notorious, but they do have a certain reputation that goes with them.

"It's true that when you look at crime and disorder issues most of the problems in terms of violence do take place in the late evening and are drink or drugs related."

Alex Robertson, chairman of the British Transport Police Federation, which represents 2,100 officers nationwide, said 24-hour drinking would put pressure on already over-stretched resources.

Speaking at the union's annual conference in York, he said: "A key argument for the staggered closing times is that it will prevent crowds congregating in the streets at a fixed time.

"Unfortunately nobody seems to have remembered that trains leave at set times so the crowds will inevitably gather at these times at railway stations to catch their transport home.

"This is as unhealthy a recipe for public order as we can get. We can expect assaults between members of the public, railway staff and police officers to increase dramatically."

Ready for Royal Ascot

Superintendent David Farrelly said his officers are prepared for the extra pressures of the Royal Ascot festival in York.

The British Transport Police regional commander said plans were in place to deal with tens of thousands of racegoers who were expected to use the public transport system.

He said barriers would be used to control the queues expected at York Station and extra buses, officers and rail staff would work to disperse the crowds.

He said: "There will also be places where people can come and line up for extra buses down to the course. A lot depends on the weather.

"The event is licensed for up to 60,000 people, which is similar to the Ebor festival. We do expect there to be a rush of people at about 8.30pm."

Updated: 10:49 Monday, March 14, 2005