A CITY of York councillor is leading calls for a crackdown on anti-social behaviour by students at York St John College.

Residents living between the college campus on Lord Mayor's Walk, York, and the first-year accommodation at The Grange, Huntington Road, have complained about the disruptive behaviour of some students returning home late from nights out.

They claim some students even urinate, vomit and dumping take-away rubbish in the streets.

Coun Blitz, Liberal Democrat councillor for Monk ward, praised the SSHH! (Silence Students Happy Homes) campaign, launched by the college and the students union. But he criticised the small minority of students who ignore the message.

He said: "The SSHH! campaign is an admirable attempt to get the message through to students, and it seems clear that the college itself is doing all it can to stamp out this sort of behaviour. However, it is clear that if the problem is going to continue, we may need to see more serious measures being taken.

"These students have to realise that alongside the freedoms that life away from home brings, come additional responsibilities. They are going to have to learn to meet these or else face the potentially serious consequences."

The College is stepping up the SSHH! campaign, introducing a fine system where students caught making a late-night disturbance must donate £5 to RAG - a campaign which donates its profits to local charities.

Linda Stephenson, public relations officer for the college, said: "The students' union is extremely committed to this campaign and with the college will continue to try to build upon the results that have so far been accomplished."

The college has applied for ward funding to place road signs with the SSHH! message around the Groves. The students' union plans to liaise with local night-clubs to think of new initiatives, and will re-introduce the lollipop campaign - where students are given lollipops after a night out to encourage them to be quiet.

Updated: 10:38 Friday, February 28, 2003