Alcohol seized from teen drinkers

Parents of underage drinkers who were caught have been informed

Nearly 350 bottles or cans of alcohol have been confiscated from underage drinkers in a police crackdown to cut crime and anti-social behaviour.

Suffolk Police said officers took the drinks from youngsters found consuming alcohol in public places across the county in a 16-day campaign.

Litmus-style tests were carried out on drinks and some youths were found to be hiding alcohol in soft drinks bottles.

Parents and guardians of those caught drinking underage were informed.

Superintendent Jon Brighton, West Area operations manager, said the campaign had been a success across the county.

Fixed penalties

"We have been able to seize alcohol from young people, potentially cutting the chances of disorder and anti-social behaviour and at the same time we have spoken to them about the implications of drinking alcohol.

"It has also been very fruitful in terms of partnership working - in some areas Trading Standards officers joined police on patrol.

"[This helped] gain information on where youngsters are getting alcohol from, and to carry out test purchasing to enforce the law on the sale of alcohol to young people."

Police said two stores made illegal sales and an adult was caught purchasing alcohol for young people.

Both offences were dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice.

Police said a repeat exercise was being planned for some parts of the county later in the year.