The scheme has been proven to combat under-age drinking

Special teams of officers from Lothian and Borders Police will be dedicated to dealing with youngsters.

An earlier pilot on the south side of the city was found to have reduced complaints by a fifth.

The scheme, which will roll out in the summer, will see officers visiting schools and getting to know pupils.

The South Edinburgh Youth Action team was the first of its kind in Scotland and was set up as an alternative way to tackle under-age drinking.

Confiscating alcohol

Midweek, four officers visited schools in the Moredun and Gracemount areas, in an effort to get to know youngsters.

Then on Friday nights, they responded to youth complaints, confiscated alcohol and dealt with vandalism and noise issues.

Since the team was introduced in June 2003, complaints about youth disorder have dropped by 20% - an average of 650 less calls a month in one area of the city alone.