ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour and crime in York's Fishergate ward has reduced although residents fear summer holidays and longer nights could spark an increase.

At a meeting with City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and local partners including the children's home in Wenlock Terrace, and temporary accommodation in Ordnance Lane, residents were told that in the three months up to the creation of the dispersal zone in the area, 115 incidents of anti-social behaviour were recorded.

During the three-month period of the dispersal zone, which started in October 2009, 57 incidents were recorded.

The zone gave police the power to disperse groups of two or more people intimidating or harassing people, and since its completion only 18 incidents had been recorded.

Reports of crimes also reduced from 123 crimes recorded in almost seven months from April 1 and October 26, 2009, to 30 during the three-month dispersal zone and falling to eight crimes since its completion.

But residents attending the meeting, organised by City of York Council, said although the statistics looked great, they were worried about the holidays and longer days when problems get worse.

Sergeant Andy Haigh, of the South East and Rural West Safer Neighbourhood Team of North Yorkshire Police, told residents that they had a plan for the summer. He also said that trouble last year at Millennium Bridge was connected with a family that has since moved out of the area.

The dispersal zone covers Alma Terrace, Frances Street, Carey Street, Wenlock Terrace, Ambrose Street, Ordnance Lane and Hospital Fields Road.

Residents at the meeting were also told that funding for 'spikies' to be installed on top of walls had fallen through but the Community Payback would fit them for free for residents who wanted to buy their own.

They were also told that members of the community had not come forward to co-ordinate a neighbourhood watch scheme or to be a keyholder to lock bins to the railings to prevent them being used by burglars to enter premises.