SEVENTY-TWO litres of alcohol was seized in a police operation from under-age teens.

Operation Cleansweep was a national initiative to tackle under-age drinking and antisocial behaviour over a two-week period during half term.

The alcohol was seized from youngsters aged 15 to 17 who were congregating in groups in Colehill, Ferndown and Verwood recreation parks, Blandford skatepark, Wareham, Christchurch and Highcliffe.

Inspector Adrian Stark said they had predominantly seized beer, some cider and some spirits, no alcopops and very little wine in the operation, working with colleagues from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

"Some of them put the alcohol down and ran away.

"On the whole they were well-tempered. They knew they were doing wrong. They handed the alcohol over and gave details such as their name, date of birth and home address.

"Some alcohol came from home. Others were either bought from a shop or bought by someone else for them."

Twenty youngsters caught in possession of alcohol were cautioned for under-age drinking and their parents were contacted.

Inspector Stark said they would also work with Trading Standards to ensure that retailers did not sell to underage drinkers.

They will also work with outreach workers, who will offer youngsters advice and support.

Inspector Stark said the alcohol seized had included youngsters who had a number of cans and large groups of youngsters who had a crate of beer. It also included alcohol dumped as youngsters spotted the police.

He said it was broadly the result he expected during the concentrated campaign, but he said the crackdown on under-age drinking was an ongoing effort by police.

Staff taking part in Operation Cleansweep went out from 7pm to 1am.

The figures and details from Operation Cleansweep will be sent to the Home Office.