A CRACKDOWN by police on under-age drinking in Winchester failed to find anyone boozing illegally.

Every one of the 128 people stopped by police were able to prove they were over 18.

The crackdown, which saw the local force flood the city centre with officers for two weekends, was aimed at stamping out drink-fuelled crime in the city.

Police say the figures show that publicity about the operation made people more aware about drinking responsibly and dismissed the idea that the high-profile exercise had been a waste of time.

A spokeswoman said doormen had reported that, over the two weekends, they had turned away approximately 300 youngsters who either had no ID card or fake ID.

She said: "This operation had made people more aware of the need to check for proof of age. The fact that, over those weekends, there were definitely no under-age drinkers is a good thing. We will continue working with the licensees and the doormen. It is not something that we have just left."

One doorman, who asked not to be named, said: "Everyone was obviously on their best behaviour. It is not like that every weekend at some places, I can assure you."

Concern about under-age drinking in Winchester has been growing for some time and resulted in the recent conviction of Jonathan Turpin, the owner of Moloko Bar, for allowing it in his bar.

Louise Akers, chairman of Pubwatch, said: "These checks are definitely worthwhile. The results show the licensees were being more vigilant. It will have a lasting effect. Everyone is aware of the police's powers."

Alan Weeks, chairman of Winchester Residents' Association, said of the crackdown: "It's a step in the right direction. But I would like it followed up with something with less public notice."

About 25 officers were on duty compared to the normal weekend figure of about ten.

The weekend blitzes, Operation Portsoy, was held on September 23-25 and September 30-October 2.

During the weekend some 25 arrests were made with another five people reported for summonses.