POLICE in Bury are using a new tool to help crack down on young people drinking alcohol on the streets.

Officers are using special alcohol detecting strips, which reveal the presence of alcohol when dipped into liquids, to stop young people concealing alcohol in soft drinks bottles.

The tests are being used by officers with the Bury East neighbourhood police teams on special patrols in the Chesham area. The action is designed to curb under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol. The area has been targeted because groups of up to 60 young people have been gathering and causing problems for local residents.

Officers automatically seize alcohol from underage people found drinking on the streets, However, some try to avoid this by mixing spirits with soft drinks.

Insp Charlotte Cadden said: “Residents are raising concerns about youths drinking and congregating in large numbers, and this is our response.

“Many young people may see having a drink with their friends as a bit of fun. But it is very often the root of anti-social behaviour, such as noise nuisance and vandalism, which can make the lives of residents an absolute misery.”

She added: “It is also essential that the parents or guardians of the youngsters involved are made aware of their behaviour and take responsibility if their child is acting anti-socially.

“They will then be able to take steps to help their child act more responsibly which, in turn, will help us drive down disorder on the streets.”