UNDERAGE drinkers are being targeted as part of a wide-rangingmove to address the damage alcohol has on young people's health.

Operation Cleansweep, which brings together organisations such as Hartlepool Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade, will focus on the Clavering area of Hartlepool.

The council's licensing team will be providing support by using volunteers to carry out test purchases in an attempt to identify shops and other outlets that may be selling alcohol to under-age customers.

Karen Oliver, the council's neighbourhood manager in the north of the town, said: "We are aware that aminority of young people do gather on the estate's open spaces, particularly at weekends, to consume alcohol.

"This initiative is not about demonising young people, but more about protecting their health and wellbeing.

"We are keen to work with parents and we would urge them - particularly those with teenagers - to be aware of their children's activities and whereabouts."

There will also be a blitz on graffiti on street nameplates, road signs, walls, doors, fences and telephone control boxes.

Environmental enforcement staff from the council will be carrying out patrols to clamp down on litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping and abandoned and untaxed vehicles.

Inspector Lee Rukin, who leads Cleveland Police's neighbourhood police team in the north of Hartlepool, said: "We intend to confiscate alcohol found to be in the possession of young people and, where necessary, we will be issuing formal anti-social behaviour warning notices."

He added: "While a large part of our work during Operation Cleansweep will centre on enforcement, we want people to be reassured by our presence. Officers will also be issuing advice to householders on a range of home and personal safety issues."

Council horticultural teams will carry out tree works in the Sandwich Grove, Rafton Drive and Clavering Road areas, while shrub beds are to be cleared out and a number of grassed areas edged.

Highways works will include street lighting checks and repairs, repainting of streetlight columns and repairs to roads signs, pedestrian barriers and street nameplates. All gullies are to be cleaned and road markings will be repainted where required.