Operation Snapper will see officers targeting hot-spot public areas to confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers and from people drinking in public and flouting council byelaws.

The PSNI said all alcohol seized by officers will be destroyed. Any underage drinker caught by police may also be liable for prosecution. Adults detected purchasing or supplying alcohol for use by juveniles can also expect prosecution.

Since it began in July last year, Operation Snapper has resulted in the confiscation of over 26,000 items of alcohol and the detection of over 1,000 offenders.

Chief Inspector, Paula Hilman, Area Commander for Newtownabbey, said: “Underage drinking can lead to criminal damage, assault and fear of crime for residents in areas subject to this kind of anti-social behaviour. It presents a significant issue to our local community.

“We want to send a message to those juveniles who drink in public areas and exhibit anti-social behaviour that this will not be tolerated.

“I know, however, that the issues surrounding underage drinking are not just confined to the school holiday period. This is why we are also encouraging young people to get involved in the Summer Splash activities which are being provided by the NIO Community Safety Unit.”

Chief Inspector Hilman, emphasised that enforcement does have a role to play, but the issues around young people's drinking cannot be tackled by any organisation working in isolation: “Police have been working to address young people's drinking along with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Northern Ireland Office, Policing Board, Public Health Agency, the Department of Education, and the alcohol industry.

“The current ‘You, Your Child and Alcohol’ campaign aims to challenge parents to think twice about the serious consequences underage drinking can have.

“Parents often underestimate how much influence they have on their children and hopefully this campaign will give them an opportunity to establish boundaries around alcohol."