STREET drinking and antisocial behaviour in York is intimidating, making people feel unsafe and damaging the city's reputation, according to responses to a council survey.
More than 500 respondents to a City of York Council consultation overwhelmingly supported cracking down on groups of disorderly people, intimidation, coercion, pestering and invasion of personal space in the city centre.
A report on proposals to strengthen powers to combat the issues stated residents, visitors and businesses told the council street drinking and antisocial behaviour were getting worse.
But it added some feared moves to tackle problems could criminalise homelessness, move issues elsewhere rather than solving them, affect vulnerable groups and require visible enforcement to be effective.
It comes as the results of the consultation on strengthening the powers of a public space protection order (PSPO) covering the city centre are set to be discussed.
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Council data showed there were 1,273 incidents of antisocial behaviour in the city centre in 2025/6, down from 1,410 the year before but up from 1,223 in 2023/4 and 1,045 in 2023/3.
Overall recorded crime fell by 3.6 per cent from 3,692 incidents in 2022/3 to 3,560 in 2025/6.
The council's People Scrutiny Committee is set to examine the consultation findings on Monday, October 26 ahead of an executive decision on the proposals on Tuesday, November 3.
Proposals would see additional restrictions covering people persistently asking for money, food or other donations or pressuring or intimidating people into giving them added to the PSPO.
Following, nagging or blocking the path of people, hindering their passage or standing close to them in situations such as by a cash machine would also be covered.
New powers to tackle street drinking and antisocial behaviour in York city centre could be brought in (Image: Staff)
Powers would also be included to deal with groups of people shouting, being aggressive and disruptive or engaging in alcohol-fuelled behaviour likely to cause fear, abuse or confrontation.
Council officials stated evidence showed such behaviour was already having a detrimental effect on quality of life in the city centre and was not being adequately addressed by existing powers.
The consultation which ran in August and September found more than 94 per cent of 508 residents, visitors and business owners who responded supported action to tackle disorderly groups.
Almost 91 per cent backed combating pestering, almost 90 per cent intimidation and coercion, around 89 per cent persistent requests and invasion of personal space.
The council report said: "The dominant narrative is that residents, visitors and many businesses observe rising anti-social behaviour and increased street drinking, experience growing intimidation and reduced feelings of safety and fear damage to York’s reputation as a family-friendly destination."
It added the powers would be used proportionately and take a support-first approach in response to concerns raised by some about the negative effects on vulnerable people.
Cllr Anne Perrett, the council's Labour safer communities spokesperson, said she was grateful to all those who took part in the consultation.
The executive member said: "Your feedback helps us understand local experiences of anti-social behaviour and whether the additional PSPO conditions would be an appropriate and proportionate response."