POLICE operations to crack down on underage drinkers celebrating the end of the school year have been hailed a success.

Twenty police officers and PCSOs from Darlington police carried out Operation Key Largo, an annual project to prevent anti-social behaviour and illegal drinking by groups of 16-year-olds who gather to celebrate after officially finishing school ahead of their GCSE exams.

The year 11s finished at most schools in Darlington last week, with police targeting parks, woodland and railway lines where young people are known to gather.

Two people were arrested for public order offences, while 22 young people were taken into police protection in the town, where their parents were called.

Many more were taken directly home or collected by parents at the request of police.

A large amount of alcohol was seized.

Sergeant Dave Barker, who led the three-week operation, said the approach, which also included council street wardens, led to reduced numbers of calls about anti-social behaviour, although there were still problems.

He said: “Groups of school leavers, in excess of 70-plus, were still present on the streets of Darlington.

“Many were excessively drunk or even unconscious, which impacts greatly upon the ambulance service and paramedics.

“They also engaged in antisocial behaviour within their local communities, subjecting residents to abuse, noise, large amounts of litter and trespassing into private property.

“Comments were made by some young people involved that it was their right to celebrate in such a way.

“While we understand the desire to celebrate this milestone, it is not acceptable for persons of this age to consume large amounts of alcohol, shout obscenities in public places or engage in aggressive and nuisance behaviour.”

PCSO Liam Robertson, who was involved in the operation, said officers were disturbed to find that most of the youths had been bought alcohol by their parents.

He said: “Most parents were supportive of our actions and were shocked to discover what their children had been up to – they had been told their kids would be at sleepovers.

“But often the parents had bought them the alcohol and said that school-leavers night is a night for them to let their hair down, which is just not the case.”