A SCHEME to protect young people and reduce antisocial behaviour saw large groups broken up around York.

Operation Liberate has been running throughout the summer, with North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council working alongside the Jack Raine Foundation, the Sexual Assaults Referral Centre (SARC) and the NHS, to protect vulnerable children and young people at risk during the holidays.

Since the early weeks of the operation, the numbers of young people dealt with by officers had fallen, but last weekend - the penultimate weekend of the summer-long scheme - saw a larger number of people dealt with, police said.

In Acomb Green, officers issued 22 dispersal notices on Friday, and a group of 15 young people were moved on from the same area the following day.

Officers also contacted the parents of two 13-year-old girls who were taken to a place of safety after they were found walking alone in West Bank Park, and officers seized alcohol (pictured), from a group in Haxby.

Inspector Lee Pointon said: "With the better weather there were undoubtedly more groups of youths at the areas identified by the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Large groups were encountered on both Friday and Saturday night in Haxby and Acomb, although there were no significant reports of antisocial behaviour.

"During the Friday night the police employed their powers to disperse individuals who they suspected were involved in ASB and in some instances home visits were conducted to offer suitable advice to the parents of the youths and the consequences of not complying with this request."

Insp Pointon said on both Friday and Saturday nights police seized alcohol from adults as they believed it was being supplied to underage drinkers.

Three young people were taken to a place of safety by police, as officers were concerned about their welfare. In each instance the youths parents or guardians were contacted and given suitable advice and support from the partner organisations/.

This weekend marks the final events under Operation Liberate, and a review into the effectiveness of the initiative will be carried out by City of York Council.

Insp Pointon said if the scheme is deemed a success, it may be repeated during the October half term.