CITY councillors could take to the streets of York to quiz Friday night revellers as part of an investigation into the growing menace of drink-related problems.

The questioning would focus on the drinking habits of 18 to 30-year-olds, in what has been billed a "unique, totally local and up-to-date piece of research".

It is being considered as part of a study of potential links between drugs, binge drinking and crime.

City of York Council's scrutiny boards oversee, monitor and consider areas covered by the council executive, from recycling to community safety. They can launch an investigation if they find any gaps in policies to assess what action should be taken.

The economic development and community safety scrutiny board is currently exploring the hot topic of drugs, alcohol and antisocial behaviour.

Council scrutiny officer Ruth Sherratt is the author of a report going to board members at their meeting on Tuesday, outlining the progress of their investigation so far.

She explained that although members have yet to narrow the focus of their research, they were particularly interested in the cultural issue of underage drinking in public and binge drinking.

Referring to a public meeting on September 29, she said the findings of the Don't Die Young, Selby initiative had led members to question the situation in York.

Chief Inspector Andy Hirst, of North Yorkshire Police, who presented the results of targeted research, revealed that, out of more than 1,000 13 to 14-year-olds in Selby, 41 per cent admitted drinking alcohol once a week.

A further 24 per cent of that age group drank unsupervised in public, seven per cent bought alcohol for themselves, and 21 per cent got an adult to buy it for them.

Ms Sherratt said: "Members thought: 'If this is happening in Selby, what is happening in York?' "

She said they were interested in whether there was a link between alcohol behaviour in youngsters and the rising problem of antisocial behaviour among older drinkers which brings with it the potential for violence, littering, nuisance and disturbance.

Ms Sharratt said there could be a survey of 13 to 16-year-olds about their drinking habits, along with an interview questionnaire for 18 to 30-year-olds out in York on a Friday evening.

Members also want to speak to experts in the field of alcohol and drugs and are expected to decide on whether to invite them to "parliamentary question/round table-style" debates.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, October 21, 2004