Extra high-visibility patrols will be carried out around the county as part of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign to keep young people out of trouble.

Hot spot areas for under-age drinking have been identified and officers will patrol these, talk to young people and confiscate alcohol from them if necessary. They will be using hand held breathalysers called AlcoBlows to detect the presence of alcohol in bottles.

Any young people found drinking alcohol will have their details taken and a letter will be sent home to their parent or guardian.

The campaign started on Saturday and will run until August 30.

During their patrols, officers will also be visiting off licenses in the area to chat to staff and remind them of the legal responsibilities around the sale of alcohol.

Inspector Chris Brown from Leicestershire Constabulary said: "We would urge parents to help us by making sure they know where there children are what they are doing. We would also ask adults not to buy alcohol for young people because underage drinking not only creates problems around criminal damage, vandalism, graffiti and litter it also leaves the young people themselves vulnerable."

Test purchase operations will also be running across the five police areas at both on and off licenses.

Inspector Tim McCabe, from the Community Safety Bureau, added: "We want young people to have a good time and enjoy themselves but at the same time making sure their behaviour doesn't upset local residents."

Details about summer activities for young people are available on Rutland County Council's website at www.rutland.gov.uk/summer