A CLAMPDOWN on underage drinkers has seen police confiscate more the 100 alcohol bottles.

Officers in Eston and Teesville recovered the items from youths in January and February this year in a drive to reduce criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Throughout the two month campaign, Operation Hammer carried out 140 stop checks on young people and 30 anti-social behaviour forms were completed.

One off-licence owner was given a warning with regard to selling alcohol to underage youths and another barred a female for buying alcohol to pass on to youngsters waiting outside.

Sergeant Tim Brown, of Cleveland Police, said the operation had seen some positive results as they had seen a decrease in the amount of crime being committed.

He said: "Throughout the two months, we saw a 51 per cent reduction in damage compared with the same period last year.

"There is a direct correlation between young people drinking alcohol and reports of anti-social behaviour.

"If we can reduce the incidents of young people drinking alcohol, we can reduce the level of anti-social behaviour."

In March the operation saw police carry out a further 135 stop checks with another eight anti-social behaviour forms being completed.

Sgt Brown added: "This year we have received 15 calls from members of the public reporting incidents throughout March compared with 20 in March last year."

Dave Hogg, crimes and disorder programme manager for Balance, the recently established North-East Alcohol Office, said alcohol can cause youngsters to commit anti-social behaviour.

He said: "The ongoing operation in the Redcar and Cleveland area is a very positive response to the rising problem posed by young people binge drinking.

"While statistics show that fewer young people are drinking, the evidence reveals that those that do so are drinking more.

"I know that alcohol plays a big role in the majority of cases that the police deal with, and that excessive drinking can turn ordinary people into criminals or victims of crime, particularly violent crime.

"Young people are especially vulnerable so this kind of initiative is particularly important."