POLICE are hoping a new initiative will help them tackle what most Richmondshire residents have highlighted as their major concern.

A clampdown on anti-social behaviour by teenagers and even younger children was listed as the number one priority by those surveyed on policing objectives in North Yorkshire earlier this year.

As a result, officers will be taking a tougher line on under-age drinking, thought to be a root cause in many of the problem areas.

Off-licences, shops and supermarkets have been warned to be on the look-out, not just for youngsters trying to buy drink, but for over-18s often sent to buy it for them.

"Intelligence suggests the drink comes either from the young person's home of from an off-licence," said Richmond youth action officer, PC Gary Lewis.

"We are asking for parents' help with the former and for off-licence mangers' help with the latter. We believe that much of the alcohol being consumed and abused by young people has been purchased on their behalf by a person over 18."

North Yorkshire County Council's trading standards department has pledged its support for the initiative, along with the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership, with the results being passed to licensing magistrates later this year.

"We are quite happy pubs are playing their part and now we are looking at other sources of alcohol for young people," said PC Lewis.

"We would ask off-licence staff to use their discretion and look for signs that an customer, who may be over 18, could be buying for younger children.

"I often ask young people what they think is the most dangerous drug that they are likely to be at risk from in the next five years; they usually say cocaine or Ecstacy, but it is alcohol."

A project which encourages young people to reject drugs and violence has won funding for another year.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Programme (Dare) co-ordinated by Catterick Garrison military police officer, PC Sean Godfrey, has won sponsorship to ensure it can continue taking its message to primary school children across the area.

Cash came from the Richmond Rotary Club, Richmond Round Table, Richmond Town Council, McDonald's, Tesco, building contractors Randall Orchard, Richmond Duck Club as well as Army units at the garrison.