A YORK boating group has called for better security if plans to increase the use of waterways and riverbanks in the city go ahead.

Glyn Morris, president of the York Motor Yacht Club, told members of City of York Council's leisure scrutiny board last night that "sub-criminal and criminal activities" on the river banks were already putting people's lives at risk and that risk was sure to increase if more people made use of the rivers Ouse, Foss and Derwent.

Mr Morris told members that boaters had recently been shot at with air rifles and been targeted by makeshift missiles and that people jumping from bridges into the water was also a big risk.

He said the police had not been informed but he was urging his members to report any further incidents.

He said: "If we have situations where we increase the number of people using the river banks these activities are going to become increasing problems.

"If we progressively find more people enjoying the river banks there's going to be that minority that's going to spoil it for other people."

Although in favour of improving the waterways, increasing moorings and making better use of the rivers, Mr Morris said that better monitoring of the riverbanks was also necessary and it had to be made clear who was in charge of policing river-based activities.

Sergeant Colin Ventress of York Police said today that he was not surprised by Mr Morris's claims but urged boat owners to report all incidents to police.

He said police received occasional reports of items being dropped on passing boats, and every year they were called to bridges where people have been jumping into the water.

A report to last night's meeting outlined plans to improve the use of rivers and riverbanks, with ideas such as opening up more riverside areas to the public, improving signage, promoting river-based activities, installing lighting under bridges and using the river for transport.

Public consultation showed that people were more in favour of improved walkways than a new footbridge across the Ouse and many people consulted also said that litter along the riverbanks should be tackled.

The board accepted the interim report and decided that it should be passed to the executive member and the shadow executive for further consideration.

Councillor Madeline Kirk, chair of the board, said members were surprised and heartened by the amount of public interest in the issue but there was lots more work to be done.

She said: "I don't want people to think we are not moving rapidly enough but there is a danger of running before we can walk. We need to ensure that we have covered all angles."

Updated: 15:23 Thursday, March 27, 2003