POLICE have seized alcohol from about 200 under-age people across Hertfordshire during a two-week campaign this month to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder in young people.The Home Office campaign ran from February 8 to February 24 and included t

POLICE have seized alcohol from about 200 under-age people across Hertfordshire during a two-week campaign this month to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder in young people.

The Home Office campaign ran from February 8 to February 24 and included the school half-term holiday, thought to be one of the busiest times for calls reporting alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

Neighbourhood officers and licensing and anti-social behaviour officers from police and local councils targeted designated "hotspots" across the county.

Insp Deirdre Dent, force licensing co-ordinator, said: "Officers involved were able to confiscate alcohol from young people at the time and could use the Direction to Leave power to disperse them from the area.

"The campaign was a great success with 128 litres of alcohol seized from the eastern area alone and 200 youngsters spoken to and provided with information.

"We hope to continue these operations throughout the year and expect to see a reduction in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour."

Police used the opportunity to gather information about where young people were obtaining.

Insp Dent said: "Results found that the majority of sources of obtaining alcohol were either purchased by a stranger or taken from home.

"We will continue to go into schools to talk to young people as well working with parents and schools in the future.

"We would like to remind parents and adults that it is illegal to buy alcohol for children - not only does it often contribute to anti-social behaviour but it also poses a health risk to young people and can contribute to their vulnerability to become victims of crime," she added.

The seized bottles and cans will be recycled at various sites across the county.

* If you see under-age drinkers or anti-social behaviour, call the non-emergency police number on 0845 33 00 222.