Drunken yobs who brought fear to the streets of York during last year's Ebor races were today warned: keep out of town.

Police leave has been cancelled to double the number of officers on duty during the event, York's busiest race meeting.

PC Paul Maloney, operations manager for the races, said all officers scheduled for rest days would be working instead.

"My message would be: don't come to the Ebor races if you are going to cause trouble," said PC Maloney.

"We will have extra officers on duty who will be briefed that any anti-social behaviour will be clamped down."

Violence erupted throughout York during last year's Ebor meeting, with Fewster Way, Fishergate, witnessing gangs of racegoers clashing throughout the night.

Abuse was hurled at people in their homes and cars were raced through the street.

This year the nearby Novotel is taking precautions against the louts. It is fencing off its entrance to all but those with a right to get in.

And it is extending its security to cover residents living nearby, employing two security guards for round-the-clock surveillance of the neighbouring estate.

A director of the Fishergate Management Company Ltd, which manages Fewster Way, said: "Last year there was a riot right outside our windows. From about 2.30am 30 or 40 men turned up and had running battles on the street throughout the night. People here were terrified.

"There was violence all over York, but this street was right at the centre of it all. It erupted every night that the racing was on. I've been here 11 years and every year it's got worse. Last year was the climax."

The barricade, a half-metre high metal fence which can be easily and quickly moved, will be going up at the Novotel entrance from August 17 until the end of the racing four days later. Ebor Day is August 18.

Two security men employed by the hotel will take their positions at the entrance of the estate.

Hotel manager Jonathan Sheard said: "We have to make it clear it's not a total block - the hotel is still open to anybody who has bona fide business here, but we want to minimise the effect of any disturbance.

"All we are trying to do is minimise the effect on our guests and on the residents of Fewster Way."

The estate director added: "We have a very good relationship with the Novotel management. They are doing their utmost to benefit the residents here and to stop any problems."

York is expected to be packed for the Ebor meeting. Karen Gordon, manager of York Tourist Information Centre said nearly all of the city's hotel rooms were fully booked for the races.

"It's extremely busy," she said.

"Virtually everything has been booked up and if people haven't booked a room as yet, they will find it very difficult to find one."

see COMMENT 'Time to rein in troublemakers'

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