Recent police reports have found that alcohol fuels more than half of violent crimes within the city centre. 

According to York Crime and Safety Statistics, the city centre commonly sees crimes such as violent and sexual offences, with 4,740 offences during 2023. However, this is 6 percent lower crime rate than 2022’s figure of 5,045 offences.

In January 2024, York was rated the worst town in North Yorkshire for anti-social behaviour, with 204 crimes reported and a crime rate of 1.7 per 1,000 daytime population.  

Most of the violent crimes reported from April 2023-March 2024 were reported in the mid-afternoon shifting from around midnight 2020.  

Statistics show that adults in this region drink more per capita than in any other region in England, Wales and Scotland apart from the Northeast.  

To help stop this problem with alcohol in York, there is specialist alcohol treatment provided by the York Alcohol Advisory Service (YAAS) and the Community Addictions Team (CAT).

In 2022, York City Council declared a meeting to tackle the recommissioning of alcohol and drug treatment.

They came to the conclusion that officers within City of York Council be authorised to tender a new contract for the provision of alcohol and drug services.