ALCOPOP swigging teenagers will have their booze poured down the drain by police under new laws aimed at stamping out teenage thuggery.

Under the Confiscation of Alcohol, Young Persons Act, which came into effect last month, teenagers spotted drinking alcohol in public places and causing a nuisance will face arrest if they don't hand over their booze.

The new powers come in the wake of an uproar surrounding the boom in alcopops, which, says Inspector Tony Harling of Blackburn Police, has made the street problem even worse.

He said: "This legislation serves to legalise something we have done in the past.

"We can now take alcohol off youngsters who we believe are becoming rowdy or who are a nuisance to the general public.

"A few years ago, it wasn't necessary to have such laws but with the arrival of drinks which are affordable to and attract underage drinkers, such as alcopops, the problem was beginning to get out of hand."

People aged over 18 will see their drinks poured away if police suspect they are supplying to an under-age person. Drinking in the street itself is not an offence, but teenagers who fail to co-operate risk being arrested on the spot and fined up to £500.

The laws are just part of a series of measures introduced by the Government to place alcopops out of the reach of children. Home Secreatary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw condemned the industry for selling alcopops, adding: "It is essential we protect our children from being ensnared into the downward spiral of alcohol abuse and crime."

The local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale have called for the banning of alcopops entirely, claiming they are aimed especially at children.

Editor of the groups Witch Ale Magazine, Barry Tyson, said: "With names such as Two Dogs, Woodys, Beetle Juice and Hooch, it is obvious manufacturers are trying to appeal to children.

"If adults want to drink alcoholic soft-drinks, why can't they mix orange juice and vodka or a fizzy drink with vodka.

"The result is still the same."

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