FIGURES released today which reveal a massive rise in the number of football-related arrests across the country have shown York City maintaining its reputation as a safe ground.

The data from the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) shows the number of arrests at domestic and European club matches shot up 8.1 per cent from 3,138 in 1999/2000 to 4,162 for 2000/2001.

But at the Bootham Crescent ground just six arrests were made over 2000/2001 - four for drink-related offences and two for disorderly behaviour.

This gives the club the seventh lowest arrest tally of the 24 clubs in the Third Division. Hull City topped the division with 59 arrests followed by Cardiff City with 40. With 191 arrests, Newcastle United had the highest number of any club.

Keith Usher, York City FC club secretary, said: "We have a good relationship with the police in York and the standard of stewarding, which we bring in a company from Leeds to do, is very good.

"Both parties work well together and use common sense and we feel we have got a good, safe ground."

He added that the low number of arrests was even more significant when weighed against the 80,000-plus people who attended the ground over the year.

Superintendent John Lacy, York's operations commander, said: "York City is a family club which prides itself on its family atmosphere and that's borne out by the low number of arrests within the ground. The club has a reputation for firm but fair stewarding and policing."

He said the fact that police would be attending only five matches this season emphasised the quality of stewarding at the club.

People needed to be aware, he added, of the unique legislation covering sports grounds, under which drunkenness, possessing alcohol, running on to or throwing objects onto the pitch or racial chanting are offences.

Police figures showed football-related arrests in York over the last year included eight people arrested when Cardiff City visited, three at a match against Scunthorpe and one at a game against Hull.

The NCIS report also revealed that the focus of football hooliganism had shifted from stadiums to other areas and that thugs were more violent and better organised.

Updated: 15:33 Wednesday, August 15, 2001