AMID the latest, disappointing set of crime statistics, a disturbing trend has emerged.

Sunday is the new Saturday night.

A fifth of all violent crime in York now happens on a Sunday, the police have revealed. They blame all-day drinking.

Those who campaigned against the reform of the Sunday licensing laws may now feel vindicated. But it is not as simple as that.

Pubs have been opening all day on Sunday for years, yet only now is this causing a problem.

It is not clear why that is.

Perhaps the surfeit of live football on a Sunday is encouraging young men to binge drink.

What is certain is that anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated. The police are absolutely right to stamp down on aggressive drunkenness before it discourages others from going into York on a Sunday night.

Updated: 10:12 Thursday, November 29, 2001