Alcohol seized as officers target underage drinkers in Leicester city centre

Police in Leicester have contacted parents after their children were caught drinking alcohol in the city centre.

Officers stepped up patrols in identified areas of the city centre on Wednesday and Thursday nights (July 16 and 17) as part of an operation to tackle underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour over the summer months. The patrols were launched to coincide with the start of the school summer holidays.

A total of 13 young people under the age of 18 were stopped by police in the street, resulting in the seizure of alcohol including three large bottles of sparkling wine and one large bottle of vodka. In each case, the young person was quizzed regarding how they had obtained the alcohol and their parents or guardians were contacted by officers.

Three sets of parents were required to collect their children because they were so intoxicated and one young person needed to be assessed by the ambulance service.

During the patrols, officers also dealt with two men as a result of alcohol-related unsociable behaviour at Leicester train station. Intelligence was also gathered regarding an off-licence that is believed to be selling alcohol to under-18s. Further action will be taken by officers in relation to this off-licence.

PC Andy MacLellan from the city centre violence and disorder team said: "The message is clear - underage drinking, and associated problems such as anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, will not be tolerated by police and other agencies in Leicester.

"I hope this operation is a warning for young people and a reminder for parents to keep an eye on what their children are getting up to.

"We will continue to listen to community concerns regarding underage drinking and target problem areas accordingly. Further test purchase operations will be carried out at off-licences and bars in the coming weeks and officers will not hesitate to take action against premises which serve alcohol to children."

This enforcement by police is just one strand of a large multi-agency campaign in Leicester to crackdown on under-age drinking and alcohol abuse over the summer. The campaign by the Safer Leicester Partnership, which includes Leicester City Council, Leicestershire Constabulary, and Leicester City Primary Care Trust, will target young drinkers and their parents, as well as retailers and bar owners.

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