People living on and around one of the UK's most notorious streets say they have to look over their shoulder when walking outside.
Scarborough's notorious St Nicholas Street, usually buzzing on a wild Saturday night, is packed with bars and nightclubs, and infamous for its rowdy antics and unruly behaviour.
Locals reveal that being "big" makes you a target in this booze-fuelled battleground.
Chef Matthew Lawson, 29, says he’s constantly on-guard when he visits St Nicholas Street on a night-out, looking over his shoulder for where the first blow may spring from.
The hulking young man stands at a towering 6”3 and says his size can attract wild acts of malice from young lads looking to prove who’s the hardest, reports Yorkshire Live.
His devoted girlfriend, Sophie Shipley, relies on Matthew's "protection" whenever they hit the street. Fuming at troublemakers, Matthew warns them to think twice before crossing his path, branding them as "idiots" who spoil everyone's night.
Matthew said: “Some nights it can be perfectly fine, just like an average night out. But on some nights, you get idiots and young ones who can’t handle their booze, just constant fights.
“When I come out here, I’m always in the mindset of being ready if anything kicks off. I don’t let it ruin my night but I’m always ready, just in case. It has kicked off a couple of times where I’ve had people try to start fights with me.
“I think it’s because of my size. Normally when you get a group of lads, 18 or 19, who are all smashed out of their heads, they try to find the biggest person and pick a fight. I’m 6”3.
“Don’t act like an idiot. Just don’t do it. It ruins the night. It ruins everyone’s night. They end up in a cell and it’s just not worth the hassle. It’s really not.”
Customer service operator Kate, 20, opened up on how it felt to be a young woman just looking to have a fun night out on the embattled street where “everyone goes”.
She said: “There’s usually a lot of drunk people walking around in the road. This is where everyone goes. It probably kicks off every weekend but there are always bouncers on the door.
“I don’t feel ‘unsafe’ here, I wouldn’t go to a big city and feel safe by myself, but I know the place here. My boyfriend has been involved in fights but nothing major."
Bar manager Jack Cross, 20, who’s worked at Sanctuary since he was 15, gave an insider’s perspective on how bar staff cope when met with anti-social behaviour.
He says vulnerable people “should feel safe” as they take “every precaution” with health and safety measures and security over the weekends.
Plus, the “tight-knit” businesses along the street work closely with one another. “If there is a problem, we get it shut down quickly,” he adds.
Jack said: “I think you should go out and be wary of your own actions, the same as you would be wary of everyone else’s. I think alcohol reflects on your personality.
“It brings people out of their shell, but I think people need to be aware of their surroundings. You do see many people who are not in the right frame of mind, some days. You should be very wary of your alcohol intake.”
