POLICE have launched a crackdown on under-age drinking on two Darwen housing estates in a bid to improve the quality of life for residents.

Within an hour of the start of the 10 high-visibility foot patrols on the St James's and Ellenshaw estates, youngsters were handing over bottles of cider, alcopops and lager to officers.

Youngsters caught on the street with alcohol either had it poured down the drain in front of them or, if there were large quantities, had it confiscated and taken to Darwen police station.

The operation, which will be repeated throughout the summer, was prompted by complaints from residents on both estates who said they were fed up with gangs of youths drinking on the streets around their homes. Police have the power to confiscate alcohol if it is in the possession of under-18s, or if they have grounds to believe it will be used by under-18s.

A mixture of alcopops, super-strength cider and a variety of beer and lager was confiscated, much of it tipped down the drain in front of the teeny boozers.

Sgt Ian Hanson, the sergeant for the two estates, said: "We are trying to get the message across that while we won't just move youngsters on because they are gathering together somewhere.

"But if they are doing something wrong, like drinking, then we will take action. Under-age drinking has been a problem on the estates for quite a while and this clampdown is designed to show residents we are taking steps to improve their quality of life."

Sgt Hanson added: "By throwing away the drink in front of the youngsters, we hope to show them that it will not be tolerated and what a waste it is to spend the money on booze.

"Within an hour of us going out, the word had got round about what we were doing and we didn't find anyone else drinking on the streets. On a normal Friday, especially with the summer coming, it would have lasted for a lot longer.

"And we will be doing it over the coming weeks again."

Sgt Hanson spearheaded a similar campaign when in charge of the policing in Oswaldtwistle. Youngsters there also had their drink tipped down drains. Even though the high-profile operation there is now over, the problems have not risen again.

On Friday night, the first night of the clampdown in Darwen, no-one was arrested but several youngsters were taken back to their parents and several more had their details taken down by the police.

Letters will now be sent to their parents telling them what their children were up to.

Coun Paul Browne, who represents parts of the two estates on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "I welcome this project. These two estates have been blackspots for teenage drinking for quite a long time now."