Police arrest eight during dawn raids

The arrests followed a successful appeal in the Evening Press by police for help from members of the public after the disturbances early last Wednesday near the former Imperial Hotel in which a stolen car was set alight, traffic lights damaged and firefighters stoned.

Those arrested - three men, a woman and four juveniles - were taken to York police station to be questioned.

Five were being interviewed on suspicion of violent disorder last week, one in connection with an unrelated robbery and two in relation to their behaviour during today's raids. All were expected to be released later today on police bail.

Sergeant Tim Madgwick, who co-ordinated the raids, said police received several very useful calls following their appeal for information in the Evening Press, but said more calls still, to police on York 631321, would be welcome.

The raid was a co-ordinated operation between York police and City of York Council, and spokesmen for both organisations revealed that a range of tough measures may be taken against people found to have been involved in the disturbances.

"The options might include evictions - as a matter of last resort - injunctions and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders," said Denis Southall, the council's tenancy enforcement manager.

Under the new ASBOs, courts have the power to set a series of conditions on offenders, including curfews and restrictions preventing offenders associating with other individuals or entering certain streets. People who break the orders can be sent to prison.

Mr Southall said the council wanted parents to be aware of their responsibilities as tenants, and to ensure they knew where their children were.

PC John Bolton of York police said: "This is a case of the council and police working together to solve problems relating to disorder and crime in the community."

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