A NEIGHBOURHOOD police officer seized alcohol from eight teenage boys following a targeted patrol in the Wigmore area of Gillingham.

PC Jamie Little, of the East Neighbourhood Team, patrolled the Fairview Avenue area on the look-out for underage drinkers last weekend.

By the end of his shift the officer had seized 35 bottles of beer and 12 cans of lager. He said: "A number of the teenagers I stopped were heavily intoxicated and had to be taken home to their parents for their own safety.

"I was concerned to find out that, in some cases, the alcohol had been supplied by the parents of the boys. I issued to them advice in relation to the dangers of giving their children alcohol and I hope that they will think twice before doing so again.

"I cannot understand why a parent would put their child in a situation where they could be vulnerable and subjected to a crime. I would urge them to consider the potential danger they are putting their son or daughter in by supplying them with drink."

While conducting the patrol, a number of teenagers attempted to run away from PC Little and hide in woods. But the officer caught the youngsters and seized their alcohol.

PC Little stressed: "I am confident that these persistent patrols enforce our message that we will not only work to reduce incidents involving underage drinkers but also find out where the teenagers are obtaining the alcohol from so appropriate police action can be taken."

Sally Smith, police media and communications officer for the Medway area, said: "This campaign is in addition to the officer’s initiative aimed at stopping adults buying alcohol for underage drinkers.

"This has involved PC Little handing out leaflets to shops that stress it is an offence for adults to buy alcohol for those aged under-18-years. The flyers will be handed out to all customers purchasing drink from the shops."