SIX people have been arrested as part of a city-centre crime crackdown in pubs and nightclubs.

A weekend operation – under the codename Operation Dip – saw high-visibility police, special constables and plain-clothes officers patrolling York, handing out crime prevention information and reminding people to be safe and secure while on a night out.

The main aim was to target young women in city-centre nightspots who leave valuables and handbags on display, but police were also on the lookout for any offences in clubs and pubs.

Members of the Micklegate Safer Neighbourhood Team had launched the operation after a recent spate of handbag thefts in the city centre.

PC Kelly McTighe said thieves tended to strike between 10pm and 3am.

She said the weekend operation – which ran between May 27 and 28 – had been “extremely successful” and is now set to be rolled out over the coming months.

She said: “There was only one theft of a mobile phone reported – a woman had placed her phone on the floor in the toilet cubicle and an unknown offender reached under and stole it.

“We utilised plain-clothes officers in all the bars and nightclubs along with high-visibility officers patrolling the city. This was well received by licensees and door staff.

“We spoke to four women who had left their bags unattended while they went to the bar or on to the dance floor.

“We also spoke with numerous parties, giving advice.”

Police community support officers manned the mobile police office in St Helen’s square early in the evening giving out crime prevention packs.

While no arrests were made in relation to bag theft, police arrested eight people – one for sexual assault, three for assault and three for being drunk and disorderly. A further two Section 27 notices were given ordering those causing trouble to stay out of the city centre for up to 48 hours.

PC McTighe said: “We would like to make it clear that we will not just be proactive in dealing with those involved in handbag thefts or pick pocketing but with offences that are brought to our attention or that we witness while conducting the operation.

“We do want people to come into town and enjoy themselves but to return home with all their property and know that should they commit offences that officers will deal with incidents in a proactive and robust manner.

“We will be rolling the initiative with the help of RACY in the near future so that we can address thefts and pick pocketing whilst shoppers are in town.”

She thanked the Safer York Partnership, which helped fund the crime prevention packs.