ALCOPOPS, LAGER, cider and rum were seized by police patrolling the streets of Dundee in a new crackdown on under age drinking.

The operation last weekend also resulted in a number of children—the youngest of them just 12 years old—being taken home to their parents after they were caught drinking alcohol.

The young girl was found with another girl (15) in the Fintry area of the city on Saturday night by officers involved in Operation Dry Up.

The weekend swoop on known teen drinking hot- spots also cut short the evening for a drunken 15-year-old boy who was taken home and warned in front of his parents.

Yesterday the officer heading up the operation revealed the next stage of the scheme would see officers target adults who buy alcohol for the under-18s.

Inspector Sandy Brodie, of Tayside Police, said, “Officers will be out again this weekend targeting known hotspots for under age drinking and anti-social behaviour and I would urge Dundee residents to call us if they know of any ongoing incidents or have any information that could assist our efforts.

“At the same time we will also be turning our attentions to those who provide alcohol to youngsters, whether through buying it or selling it.

“Very often groups of youths will hang around the local shops in the hope of coercing a passer-by into buying their carry out.

“Coercion is no excuse and, while our dedicated officers will be seeking to move groups of youths away from such places, we will enforce legislation against anyone who buys alcohol for children.”

Inspector Brodie added that the issue was causing extra concern as the teenagers were often approaching “complete strangers” to buy the alcohol for them.

He said, “There is obviously a number of dangers associated approaching people in this manner.”

It is hoped the ongoing efforts will help stamp out the problems connected to teen drinking, such as anti-social behaviour and crime.

The extra resources being directed at the issue have been provided by £32,000 in funding given to the police by the Dundee Partnership.

The latest wave of measures follow a test purchasing initiative, begun in December, aimed at cracking down on off-licences that sell alcohol to children.

Test purchasing involves a trained 16-year-old entering licensed premises, whilst observed by a plain clothes officer, and attempting to buy alcohol.

To date 11 licensees have been tested and all refused to sell alcohol—a result police have welcomed.

However, they say there is no room for complacency and test purchasing will continue and be extended throughout the force area.

Meanwhile, the force will also be trying to make young people aware of the dangers they expose themselves to and the harm they do in their communities.

Anyone with information regarding under age drinking in Dundee should call Tayside Police on (01382) 223200.