Nearly 50 cans of beer were seized along with wine and alcopops on Friday.

One person was arrested for carrying an offensive weapon and assaulting police, and another for a public order offence.

The youngest person stopped was seven years old but most of the youths were aged 14 or 15, police said. More operations are now planned.

I believe that some parents have innocently allowed their children into town, where they have then obtained alcohol and gone to drink it Ch Insp Peter Mills

Ch Insp Peter Mills said that more than 100 youths were causing problems at the pier during weekends.

"I have a strong working relationship with Eastbourne Pier and they have worked with the police on a problem that is not connected to them," he said.

"All 48 of the youths' parents will receive a written letter advising them of their child's behaviour.

"I believe that some parents have innocently allowed their children into town, where they have then obtained alcohol and gone to drink it under the pier and I am determined that this will stop.

"My officers stopped the youths because they were drinking in an area covered by the street drinking ban and most of them had their alcohol poured away."

He appealed to parents to show some concern about their children's whereabouts, particularly in the evenings and at weekends.