Police powers to confiscate alcohol from under-18s could be extended, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said.
Police powers to confiscate alcohol from under-18s could be extended, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said.
Officers can already take alcohol from youngsters in public places if they are suspected of crime or disorder.
Officers can already take alcohol from youngsters in public places if they are suspected of crime or disorder.
Ms Smith said she was reminding police to use those powers but also wanted to "look at" tightening laws to stop any under-18s carrying alcohol in public.
Ms Smith said she was reminding police to use those powers but also wanted to "look at" tightening laws to stop any under-18s carrying alcohol in public.
She told the BBC: "If young people shouldn't be drinking it, I don't think they should be possessing it either."
She told the BBC: "If young people shouldn't be drinking it, I don't think they should be possessing it either."
Ms Smith's comments come ahead of a planned half-term crackdown - she has written to all police chiefs reminding them not only of their powers, but to suggest they use them during the week-long school break.
Ms Smith's comments come ahead of a planned half-term crackdown - she has written to all police chiefs reminding them not only of their powers, but to suggest they use them during the week-long school break.
Parenting orders
Parenting orders
She said that a month-long crackdown between October and November last year saw officers seizing the equivalent of 6,500 pints of alcohol from under-age drinkers.
She said that a month-long crackdown between October and November last year saw officers seizing the equivalent of 6,500 pints of alcohol from under-age drinkers.
Ms Smith told BBC Breakfast: "The confiscation is certainly a campaign that we'll be running from next week and for a period of time.
Ms Smith told BBC Breakfast: "The confiscation is certainly a campaign that we'll be running from next week and for a period of time.
I want to look at whether or not we should tighten up possession of alcohol for young people in public under the age of 18. Jacqui SmithHome Secretary
I want to look at whether or not we should tighten up possession of alcohol for young people in public under the age of 18. Jacqui SmithHome Secretary
"It does make a difference, because it makes it very clear that young people should not be drinking alcohol on the streets with the sort of concerns that brings to local communities and the potential for them to go on and get involved in crime and disorder."
"It does make a difference, because it makes it very clear that young people should not be drinking alcohol on the streets with the sort of concerns that brings to local communities and the potential for them to go on and get involved in crime and disorder."
Ms Smith also suggested that wider powers might be needed in the future: "At the moment police have to have suspicion that this alcohol is going to be used.
Ms Smith also suggested that wider powers might be needed in the future: "At the moment police have to have suspicion that this alcohol is going to be used.
"I want to look at whether or not we should tighten up possession of alcohol for young people in public under the age of 18."
"I want to look at whether or not we should tighten up possession of alcohol for young people in public under the age of 18."
The home secretary is also demanding that drink manufacturers do more to stop alcohol being sold to under-18s.
The home secretary is also demanding that drink manufacturers do more to stop alcohol being sold to under-18s.
And she said she wanted to see greater use of parenting orders - to give training to tackle truancy and anti-social behaviour - for the families of people found drinking in public.
And she said she wanted to see greater use of parenting orders - to give training to tackle truancy and anti-social behaviour - for the families of people found drinking in public.
Do you agree with these proposals? Have you been affected by the issues covered in this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.
