POLICE throughout the region were out in force last night as a Government crackdown on binge-drinkers and anti-social behaviour began with a pre-Christmas blitz.

Officers now have the power to issue on-the-spot fines for buying or selling alcohol to people under 18, and the penalty for drunk and disorderly behaviour has been increased from £50 to £80.

Over the next three weeks officers across the North-East and North Yorkshire will be targeting Christmas and New Year drinkers at hotspots in the region.

Police from more than 180 areas in England and Wales will have the power to issue the fines until January 3.

Cleveland Police said they were focusing on Middlesbrough town centre over the festive period, with officers visiting pubs and clubs and carrying out test purchasing in off-licences to target those selling alcohol to under-age drinkers.

The Durham force said its alcohol enforcement initiative would also focus on areas with a high volume of pubs and drinkers, such as Darlington town centre, Durham City centre and the Market Places in Bishop Auckland and Crook.

The British Beer and Pub Association welcomed the national initiative.

A spokesman said: ''The industry fully supports the prosecution of troublemakers and those licensees who encourage irresponsible drinking."

In a separate operation last night, Darlington police and council workers took part in an operation aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour among youths in parts of the town.

Nineteen officers and council employees launched a series of patrols aimed at clamping down on anti-social behaviour in the Springfield Park, Whinbush Way, Mowden and Longfield Road areas of Darlington after residents' complaints about gangs of youngsters.

Inspector Chris Reeve said that they found no evidence of anti-social behaviour, although a small amount of beer and cider was seized.