POLICE have waged war on underage drinkers on the streets of Prestwich and Whitefield by capturing them on video, then pouring confiscated alcohol down the drain.

In an operation last Friday night, officers recovered up to 70 cans of lager, bottles of vodka and vodka-based drinks, cheap wine and even a bottle of champagne.

Once the offenders had been filmed, police took the footage to their parents' homes to show them. One teenage boy had 20 cans of lager taken from him. Alcohol was also confiscated from youngsters aged around 14. The summer crackdown has been launched because police say it often triggers anti-social behaviour.

Inspector David Jones, head of Prestwich and Whitefield Township, said: "By 8 o'clock on a Friday night these kids are blitzed.

"At this time of year we receive an increased number of calls about anti-social behaviour and it tends to be drink-fuelled.

"Young people meet up, start drinking and the problems arise. This happens every weekend."

Insp Jones said he had stepped up patrols on weekend evenings in an attempt to ease the problems.

A team of officers will be out again this weekend.

Last Friday, officers filmed the youths as they drank alcohol, before approaching them and confiscating their stash. Then the videotape was shown to their parents.

Insp Jones continued: "In the main the alcohol has been acquired from home and some has been stolen from mum or dad.

"One girl was found with a £20 bottle of champagne, which her mother knew nothing about. In this case we will return the bottle but normally it is dealt with there and then and confiscated.

"This can prove to be very expensive for the teenagers as it is literally money down the drain."

Shops selling alcohol to underage drinkers face prosecution.

Insp Jones has also contacted headteachers to make them aware of the clampdown.

And he issued a warning to parents: "We don't want youngsters walking the streets with drink. I would advise parents to keep an eye on their youngsters and, in particular, on their drink stock at home."