AN OFF-licence has been fined for selling alcohol to a 16-year-old boy as part of a half-term crackdown on underage drinking.

Kent Police launched the operation at the weekend and seized large quantities of alcopops, beer and cider from youngsters in Canterbury and Thanet.

More than 50 confiscations were made on Friday and Saturday, and there were stop searches of nearly 20 young people during the operation.

Officers also witnessed one 16-year-old boy buying a bottle of cider from a shop in Broadstairs, and he was not asked for any proof of age.

A fixed penalty notice for £80 was given to the person who served the boy.

Neighbourhood inspector for Broadstairs Simon Morris said: “The results of this weekend’s work are good. The problems we have in Thanet are often fuelled by alcohol. We are playing our part in preventing young people from getting hold of it.”

Officers will be out again in East Kent on Friday and Saturday evenings.