A POLICE crackdown on anti- social behaviour in upmarket Chandler's Ford netted dozens of youngsters roaming the streets.

Officers contacted around 30 parents following the operation to tell them of their offspring's misdemeanours. One dad was even told by officers to collect his young daughter because of her "severely drunken state".

Other parents were contacted by letter and asked if they were aware their children had been drinking under age, being antisocial or were out until the early hours of the morning.

Police said that during the Friday and Saturday night operation a "substantial'' amount of alcohol was seized from under age drinkers. Alcohol is being blamed for fuelling trouble from gangs of teenage yobs who have been terrorising streets in Chandler's Ford.

Police believe much of the liquor being consumed is coming from family homes.

Now, a plea is going out to parents to keep tabs on their offspring and be sure they know where they are, who they are with and what they are doing.

The plea follows a high-profile police operation at the weekend aimed at combating anti-social behaviour which had hit the Valley Park, Millers Dale and Hiltingbury areas of Chandler's Ford the previous week when gangs of local youths aged 13 to 24 roamed the streets causing destruction.

Crimes reported in the wrecking spree included trees being uprooted from residents' gardens, smashed fences and damaged garden walls, scratched cars and slashed tyres.

The yobs were also said to be drinking from bottles of spirits on street corners and using intimidating behaviour.

The operation - which involved putting extra police on the streets - was heralded as a success.

But police say they are worried about the ease with which youngsters are obtaining alcohol and the level of abuse it triggers.

Inspector Kerry Macnamara, who led the police operation, said: "While these young people generally appear well-balanced members of society, the ease at which youngsters are obtaining alcohol and the level of abuse it triggers is of concern, especially once they become intoxicated.

"Some individuals from within the groups are then responsible for causing damage and the unacceptable behaviour that local residents have had to endure.

"While we will continue to work with retailers, a large proportion of the alcohol is being obtained from the family home and I would ask all parents to question their sons and daughters regarding their intentions when going out for the evening."

Insp Macnamara pledged that police would continue with increased high visibility patrols.