POLICE have raised fears that a new £6 million hotel in the centre of York could become a haven for drunken stag and hen parties if it gets the go-ahead.

Plans for a Euro Hostel in a George Hudson Street building previously used as City of York Council offices have been submitted to the authority, and could create 60 new jobs should it be approved.

However, North Yorkshire Police said the four-floor hostel, which would also have a restaurant and bar, would need to have “extremely robust” controls in place as it would appeal to hen and stag groups, and the force believed “very little detail” had been provided about how the scheme would prevent crime.

If approved, the business would be only the fourth Euro Hostel in the UK and have 53 rooms and space for 249 beds.

Agents acting for the scheme said there had been little interest in retaining the building as offices and Euro Hostels had made a firm offer which would allow the owners to make a return on refurbishment costs, adding the hotel chain had identified York as its next target city.

In a statement sent to the council, North Yorkshire Police’s architectural liaison team said: “This type of facility could be popular with families and groups. However, budget dormitory-style accommodation such as this will be extremely attractive to hen and stag parties, as York is currently a popular destination for this type of occasion.

"Experience shows these groups can be unruly as a result of excessive drinking and antisocial behaviour can be a real issue. The management and control of this hotel will have to be extremely robust to reduce the opportunity and likelihood of unacceptable behaviour by guests.”

The force said the hotel would need greater security than just CCTV and lighting, but has not formally objected to the plans. It said the area where it would be based is “high risk” in crime terms and “already places a significant demand on police resources”.

Earlier this year, The Press reported how police were planning to crack down on stag and hen parties from Teesside causing drink-fuelled trouble in York on Saturdays, after alcohol-related offences at York Station rose from 55 in 2011/12 to 88 in 2012/13.