A CAMPAIGN to crack down on under-age drinking in part of north Durham has proved successful.

Police have been working with community organisations to reduce the number of young people drinking alcohol illegally.

Most cases of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and violence are thought to be drinkfuelled.

Officers have been seizing alcohol and carrying out test purchases with young people, which has led to the removal of licences from two shops.

They have also been parking a vehicle outside shops to warn older people of the dangers and penalties of buying drinks for youngsters.

Young people have also been taking part in a football league to give them a positive outlet for their energy.

Acting Inspector Susan Murray said: "These are all part of an ongoing campaign to reduce the number of people drinking under-age in the Stanley area."

The "You Booze You Lose"

campaign has seen an 85 per cent drop in alcohol seizures, from an average of nearly 87 per month to 18.

It was launched in January when the Green Corridor community group teamed up with Durham Police, Three Rivers Housing, Durham County Council, Derwentside District Council and County Durham Primary Care Trust.

Signs have been put up warning under-age drinkers that if they are caught with alcohol, then it will be seized.

Notices also show the numbers seized in that particular area for that month to act as a deterrent.

Daniel O'Brien, partnership and programmes development officer for Derwentside District Council said: "It's not just the signs which are making an impact.

Many of our young people have been taking part in the Respect: Game On Midnight Football League, a partnership between the Green Corridor, Stanley School of Technology and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust's Game On initiative.

"It provides about 120 young people with structured league football each Friday night, which they can either take part in, or support. Stanley Legends won the Premiership and Hot Stuff won the Championship and will now represent the Respect: Game On Midnight Football League at the North-East Regional Final on Friday."

The team will be competing for a place at the national finals, to be held next month at Doncaster Rovers Football Academy.

Sgt Murray said: "There have been a number of initiatives we have carried out and all have contributed to the reduction of alcohol seizures in the area."