POLICE arrested 27 people in a night of drunkenness and violence across York.

Fights broke out across the city into the early hours of today.

Supt John Lacy, of York Police, today spoke of his disappointment at the fighting.

"We will not tolerate disorderly behaviour in this city," he vowed.

He believed many of the problems could be because yesterday saw the release of the first post-Christmas pay-packets for many people.

But he said he was particularly alarmed because five of those arrested for drunken behaviour were under 18.

He said the vigilance of licensees and door staff meant that nearly all of last night's incidents happened outside pubs and clubs.

Supt Lacy said the police were aware of the potential problems of Friday and Saturday nights and had doubled the number of officers at peak times.

He said the arrests included:

- Five - 16 and 17-year-olds - for public order and drink-related offences at the Megabowl in Clifton after fights inside the centre

- Eight in Micklegate for drunk and disorderly, damage and assault

- One in South Bank for carrying an offensive weapon after reports of fights between youths.

-Others in Bootham and Clifford Street.

A man who had been out drinking had to be rescued from the River Foss in York by firefighters at 3am.

Updated: 12:55 Saturday, February 03, 2001