CHILDREN drinking alcohol on the streets and assaulting passers-by have prompted police to crack down on bad behaviour.

Teams of officers with sniffer dogs are patrolling Canterbury on Friday and Saturday nights to stop children as young as 10 spitting in people's faces, yelling abuse, bullying and stealing.

The operation follows scores of complaints from people intimidated by gangs of unruly youngsters. Police have already found 12-year-olds carrying drugs.

On patrol on Friday night officers questioned two girls, aged 12 and 14, who admitted drinking a bottle of wine together. Like a group of 14 and 15-year-olds accused of shouting foul language they thought their parents probably did not know they were on the streets drinking late at night because they had told them they were visiting friends' houses.

All of the youngsters' parents will receive letters from Kent Police and, if their behaviour does not improve, they could face court action. The police are also investigating where children have obtained drugs and alcohol.

Sgt Phil Hibben, of Canterbury Crime Reduction Unit, said: "Young people spoken to during this operation have come from a range of family backgrounds.

"Many parents contacted have been unaware of their child's whereabouts and were shocked when they learned of their activities.

"Parents must ask themselves 'Do I know where my child is, what they are doing and who they are with?'."