A COUNCILLOR has come under fire for his comments in an election leaflet about student behaviour in an area of York.

George Brichieri, president of York St John College's Students' Union, said he was "deflated" to see an article in the Liberal Democrat Focus newsletter, written by Councillor Nick Blitz.

Coun Blitz's Monk Ward seat takes in much of The Groves, where many students live.

Mr Brichieri claimed the article implied a student was behind an attack on a car belonging to Alec Richard, a St John Street resident who has campaigned against student noise.

He also criticised a claim in the newsletter which said students had told non-students if they do not like the consequences of living in a student area they should move.

Mr Brichieri said: "He (Coun Blitz) is not dealing with the issues in a positive way. What he has said is detrimental to the good work people have been doing.

"To make the kind of allegations he has without any concrete evidence was completely the wrong way to deal with this issue."

But Coun Blitz said he had made no allegations, claiming all his words were in context and part of a wider debate.

He admitted the evidence for the claims non-students had been told to move out was anecdotal.

But he said: "When I am out on the street people talk to me and that is what I have been hearing.

"It is a smallish percentage of students that can spoil it for everyone else.

"The Students' Union has made a very good effort to deal with this."

Tory ward candidate Tom Nicks agreed some students in the area caused a problem.

He said: "The fundamental things Nick Blitz are saying are correct, but it is a minority.

"The vast majority of students bring a huge amount of good to this city."

Labour councillor Janet Looker, standing in Guildhall, said the college's community liaison group had been working hard to tackle problems in the community.

She said: "Working to change social behaviour is not a quick fix option and takes time and continual effort and commitment.

"I think the college, and many of the student officers have shown that commitment.

"I would like to think students and staff and residents alike could continue to work for the good of our whole community rather than throw abuse at each other and damage what has been a lot of real goodwill."

Updated: 11:32 Friday, April 25, 2003