Next week police and community support officers will be targeting areas in west Suffolk where young people gather.

Underage drinkers will have their supplies taken away, and groups will be ordered to disperse if alcohol-related crime or disorder is suspected.

The campaign follows successful similar countywide action in February.

And the under-18s may not be the only people affected. Adults will be targeted, too, in areas that already have alcohol designation orders which prevent drinking in public places.

Acting Superintendent Stuart Hudson said: "The campaign earlier this year proved very successful.

"Across west Suffolk, more than 160 bottles or cans or alcohol were seized and by doing this, officers were able to tackle the anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder associated with youth drinking.

"We also offered information and advice to those young people, to educate them that their behaviour is not only anti-social, but also puts them at risk of other offences such as assault and can also put at risk their health."

During this campaign, officers will be gathering information on young people's ability to access alcohol locally and follow-up enquiries will be made.

Any adult found to have knowingly supplied alcoholic drinks to a person underage runs the risk of an on-the-spot fine or prosecution. Any licensee found to be selling alcoholic drink to underage people is committing an offence and their license may be at risk.