Alcohol is seized in swoop on parks

Police have seized 48 bottles and cans of alcohol from young people during swoops on two Kidderminster parks on just one evening.

The bottles and cans, mainly alcopops, lager, wine and cider, were seized from youngsters aged 14 to 17 at Baxter Park and another open space off Wilton Avenue, it was revealed today.

The seizures were made one night earlier this month by members of the Wyre Forest Local Policing Tasking Team, which was set up this year to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Sgt Kevin Lane, who leads the team, said the amount of alcohol seized had come as no surprise. "It is common for us to confiscate that amount of alcohol on an average Friday or Saturday night," he said.

"We are seeing members of the public being accosted outside off-licences and supermarkets by young people who put pressure on them to buy alcohol on their behalf."

Sgt Lane said parts of Kidderminster such as the Franche, Horsefair and Comberton areas, were among the worst for "proxy purchases" by adults on behalf of under-18s.

He warned that any adults caught buying alcohol for youngsters would face an £80 fixed penalty ticket.