Alcohol seized from children under 10

2:18pm Wednesday 26th September 2007

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By Nafeesa Shan »

ALCOHOLIC drinks have been seized from children as young as ten during a campaign to combat anti-social behaviour.

Darwen police have confiscated hundreds of bottles and cans of lager, beer and cider from youngsters across the town.

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At least 300 items bottles and cans were found by officers as part of Operation Summer Nights, which targeted anti-social behav-iour over the summer holidays.

Hotspot areas included Earcroft and Whitehall Park.

Sergeant John Cisco said: "Each year we have taken part in operation Summer Nights and there has certainly been an increase in the amount of alcohol we seize.

"We have confiscated at least 300-plus bottles and cans.

"In the worst cases we have confiscated alcohol from children under ten, but not much younger than that.

"The under tens had been hanging around with groups of youngsters who were older.

"We also seized alcohol from groups up to the age of 18. There is not a major problem in Darwen with children under ten being found with alcohol.

"The alcohol is confiscated straight away and the young person is given a referral form, which is then logged into the police computer system. This does not leave tye youngster with a criminal record.

"A letter is sent to their parents to explain their son or daughter has been stopped and the circum-stances.

"If the youngster is caught more than twice, further measures are put in place.

"However Darwen is no worse than other areas."

Operation Summer Nights was a multi-agency campaign which included the police and trading standards.

The operation took the form of a county-wide crackdown on alcohol-related crime and disorder whilst promoting public health messages and safety advice which ran from July to August.

Inspector Mark Thackeray-Scott added: "Our message to young people is give respect to get respect.

"Have fun and enjoy yourselves but don't do it at the expense of others.

"We want to make sure that everyone, whatever their age doesn't have to suffer the consequences of disrespectful behaviour."