YORK Police today vowed to crack down on yobs who bring chaos and violence to the city.

The warning comes after police recorded more than 40 assaults in only three days.

The festive spirit descended into hooliganism as thousands of revellers poured into city centre clubs and bars on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Police in York recorded 41 assaults and 20 public order offences, and made more than 100 arrests, over that three-day period.

Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick, York and Selby area commander, said: "People think they can get away with violent behaviour, but they cannot. Our view is that if people are going to behave in a clearly unacceptable fashion, action is required.

"If people want to go out and enjoy themselves lawfully, then that's great. If their behaviour falls below acceptable standards they will be prosecuted. We have used fixed penalty notices over the weekend, but if the same people come back again and again, we will look to the courts to impose stiff penalties."

The weekend of mayhem began on Black Friday, the traditional start of the Christmas party season, when every police cell in York and North Yorkshire was filled.

Incidents of violence and disorder, many of which were drink-related, continued over the weekend.

There were 67 crimes reported in York on Friday, including 20 assaults and two public order offences.

On Saturday, the number of crimes reported soared to 85, of which nine were assaults and ten were public order offences.

On Sunday 72 crimes were recorded, including 12 assaults and eight public order offences.

One of the assaults on Sunday led to a young woman being treated for a cut to her wrist in York Hospital. The 20-year-old had been pulled from behind outside the Nailed on Beauty salon in Lendal at 1.15am on Sunday, and fell through the glass door of the neighbouring property.

Meanwhile, in Selby, 18 people were arrested on Friday night alone.

In one incident, two men were knocked over by a white van at Riccall Regen Centre. The Evening Press reported on Saturday that one person was hurt in the fracas. But detectives revealed today that three men were injured, two of whom were struck by the van. Police were today viewing CCTV footage from the centre.

Updated: 14:26 Monday, December 20, 2004