THIS is the haul of alcohol taken from children as young as 12 as part of a police crackdown on booze-fuelled crime in Southamp-ton.

The wall of drink, made up of more than 500 bottles, cans and spirits, was accumulated over the course of just four weekends as part of a blitz on crime committed by drunken youths.

Last weekend alone some 130 bottles and cans were taken away from under-age drinkers.

Police say that it is a continuing battle with youths and one which needs the support of parents, shops and off-licences.

The crackdown was sparked following ongoing reports of two rival gangs of youths from Weston and Sholing regularly causing trouble, including criminal damage and assaults, under the influence of drink. As a result, a team of 11 officers was dedicated to the problem and they have been regularly going out on patrols to target the drink-fuelled crime since Easter.

Acting Sgt Elizabeth Harfield said: "It is a dangerous amount of alcohol that these children are caught with and a level that undoubtedly leads to violent behaviour and disorder.

"We have been aware of the trouble between rival gangs and we have been working to seize the alcohol from groups from as early as the afternoon.

"At least then if there is any disorder later on at night it is not fuelled by drink, which in turn reduces the number of incidents and the violence of them."

Police have confiscated four times the amount of alcohol pictured since the operation has been running. More recently, the work by the officers has come under the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign running across the city to target drink-fuelled violent crime.

Every time a child has alcohol seized from them, letters are sent home to parents telling them of the action taken.

So far 150 letters have been sent since the start of the operation codenamed Refrigerator.

Worryingly only one in ten parents ever responds to even acknowledge the letter. What concerns police further is that when questioned, some of the children admit that their parents are the ones supplying them with drink.

Acting Sgt Harfield said: "We hope that by showing just how much we collected in the space of a month it will be a wake-up call to parents and those supplying the drink."

Police admit that continually confiscating the alcohol does not solve the problem long-term, and are planning operations around local off-licences.

Officers hope that with the support of parents and off-licences the patrols will no longer be needed, but for the time being they will continue.