Research suggests a fifth of 10 to 15-year-olds regularly get drunk

The month-long campaign between October and November saw officers from 21 forces confiscate more than a pint for every teenager stopped.

They used new powers to disperse groups suspected of alcohol-related disorder.

Ministers say it shows they are dealing with under-age drinking. Health groups say alcohol prices need to be raised.

Quite simply we will not tolerate drinking in public by under-18s or anyone else where it leads to anti-social and intimidating behaviour Vernon Coaker Home Office minister

The Home Office-funded campaign was timed to coincide with school half-term, Halloween and bonfire night and saw police and community support officers targeting known teenage drinking hotspots.

They used new powers under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 to disperse groups suspected of alcohol-related crime or disorder and they confiscated more than 3,700 litres (or around 6,500 pints) of alcohol from under-18s.

Combination of measures

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said the crackdown would "not be the last".

"Quite simply we will not tolerate drinking in public by under-18s or anyone else where it leads to anti-social and intimidating behaviour," he said.

He added that confiscation would be used in combination with measures to "tackle the supply of alcohol to children", such as the enforcement of laws on under-age sales.

Association of Chief Police Officers spokesman and Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Chris Allison said the campaign intended to "use the tactic of confiscation to help prevent the drink-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour".

He added: "The police service will continue to work with our partners to deal with these type of issues and will make use of all of the powers we have available to us."

Tax call

Last month Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a "co-ordinated" effort to crack down on sales of alcohol to under-age drinkers.

Research published by the schools watchdog Ofsted suggests a fifth of 10 to 15-year-olds regularly get drunk.

The Alcohol Health Alliance - a new group of 24 leading health organisations - has called for taxes on alcohol to be increased.

It also wants TV adverts for alcohol banned before 9pm and stronger health warnings to be placed on promotional material.

The government says it has already introduced a cross-departmental Alcohol Strategy, which includes an independent review of alcohol pricing and promotion and toughened enforcement of underage sales by retailers.