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, while the penalty for drunk and disorderly behaviour has been increased from £50 to £80.

Over the next three weeks officers throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire will be targeting Christmas and New Year drinkers in hotspots across 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, with officers visiting pubs and clubs and carrying out test purchases in off-licences to target those selling alcohol to under-age drinkers.

The Durham force said its alcohol enforcement initiative would 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.

Chief Inspector Graham Hall said officers were also visiting public houses to give advice to licencees, as well as targeting off-licences and those committing drink-related crimes.

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.

"The disruption they cause is unacceptable to the vast majority of well-run pubs and the many millions of people out enjoying themselves over a social drink."

In a separate operation aimed at anti-social behaviour among youths, Darlington police last night targeted the town's Springfield Park, after residents' complaints.

Twenty-nine officers and council employees took part in the operation after reports of gangs of up to 40 youths drinking and causing trouble.