Cans marked in alcohol crackdown

More than 15,000 cans and bottles of alcohol have been secretly labelled by police in an attempt to crackdown on underage drinkers.

Police have teamed up with off-licences in parts of Leeds for the scheme.

The shops will also supply alcohol in coloured plastic bags. Youths will be stopped by police if seen with one.

The move aims to deter adults from buying alcohol for youths, by allowing police to discover where it was bought to help trace the culprits.

The scheme is being piloted in the Crossgates, Temple Newsam and Whinmoor areas.

West Yorkshire Police said it could be rolled out across the county if successful.

'Unacceptable disorder'

The plastic bags are printed with the shop's name and address, together with a warning that it is an offence to supply alcohol to anyone under 18.

Insp Craig Robinson said: "Teenagers make poor decisions whilst intoxicated and unacceptable levels of disorder and damages are directly attributable to young people obtaining alcohol and street drinking.

"Youths seen in possession of the carrier bags suspected of containing alcohol will be searched and we will also be able to trace the bags found discarded at known drinking spots back to the premises where the drinks were sold.

"Due to the post codes, any empty drinks cans or bottles will also be traced back to their source as well."

Det Insp Duncan MacNay said anyone found to be supplying alcohol to under 18s would be arrested and faced a fine of up to £5,000.