Crack-down on under-age drinking (Status: Press release)

THE Police are warning teenagers that they will have alcohol confiscated on the streets across Oxfordshire as part of a crackdown on under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour.
The operation, which started today (8/2)is being co-ordinating by Thames Valley Police Licensing Officers, and runs for two weeks ending on 24 February. It is part of a national Home Office campaign to tackle underage drinking.

Police officers and Police Community Support Officers will be carrying out high visibility, directed patrols of known hotspots for youngsters gathering in locations across Oxfordshire. Anyone under 18 will have their alcohol confiscated. Officers will also be gathering evidence during their patrols to ensure the right people and places are being targeted.

Test purchases will be carried out to tackle under-age drinking on various licensed premises. Police and council officers will also be visiting them to prosecute staff selling to under-age customers, and to promote the ?Think 21 scheme?. Anyone found repeatedly selling may have their licenses put at risk of being suspended.

The crackdown will also focus on cracking down on vandals and anti-social behaviour, especially during half-term week.

Supt Paul Emmings, heading the operation, said: ?Police and partners in Oxfordshire are committed to tackling the problem of underage drinking, and the anti-social behaviour which can go hand in hand with young people drinking on our streets.

?This campaign is two pronged in that it will prevent young people drinking in public and target the people supplying the alcohol. We will be working closely with our partners to ensure this campaign is a success and drives home the message to young people and their parents that drinking in public will not be tolerated.?