OFF licenses selling alcohol to underage drinkers face begin stung by a new police tracing system.

Police in Maidstone and Swale are taking part in a national campaign to tackle under age drinking over the half term break, with teams of officers seizing booze from minors from February 15.

The campaign will also trial the Bottlewatch scheme, where a tamper-proof label with a special code is stuck onto bottles of alcohol.

If a youth is caught with such a bottle, police can trace it back to where it was purchased and can then take enforcement action against the licensed premises.

According to national research, 10 per cent of 12 to 15-year-old drinkers claim to buy their own alcohol, and 63 per cent of 16 to 17-year-olds say they have bought alcohol in pubs, nightclubs and bars.

Licensing Officer Barbara Murray said: “We’re determined to clamp down on underage drinking as there is a strong link between this and anti-social behaviour, including criminal damage to people’s property.

She added: “I would like to thank the licensed premises that have assisted us in setting up the Bottlewatch scheme.

“By coming together, we can raise awareness amongst young people and parents of the impact alcohol has not only on their own lives but on the community as a whole."