A crackdown on underage drinkers in the Sittingbourne area has been hailed a success.

Police community support officers and street wardens visited the Gore Court area and confiscated beer and lager worth £32 from a group of under-17s after they were found drinking in the boundaries of the cricket ground.

Later that evening the same team were called to a car park in the Staplehurst Link Road area following reports that a group of 38 youths, all under 18, had been drinking and were causing a nuisance.

The alcohol was confiscated and the youths were made to clear the area of rubbish.

With the help of CCTV, officers identified the shop that sold the alcohol and the person who bought it for the youngsters. The seizures come as the Community Safety Partnership steps up its efforts to reduce sales to underage drinkers with its SAFE campaign.

Retailers can lose their premises licence for supplying booze to under-18s, and anyone caught buying alcohol for them could face a fine and a criminal record.

Geraldine Chidley, principal street warden for Swale council, said: "Children who drink are five times more likely to have alcohol abuse problems later in life.

"That is why we within the Community Safety Partnership see it as such a priority and utilise every opportunity to crack down on any youngsters found to be consuming alcohol here in Swale.

"By working together, and utilising a dedicated vehicle, the street wardens and PCSOs form a highly visible, anti-social behaviour deterrent and effective crime reduction presence."

Geoff Rowley, licensing officer for Kent Police, said: "The police and council licensing teams work together to ensure that all our licensed retailers are trading lawfully.

"We also work closely with our retailers to encourage them to always ask for ID when selling to anyone who looks under 21 and to remain vigilant to the possibility of proxy sales."