Dip kits were used to spot alcopops concealed in soft drink containers

The operation was part of the ongoing Safer Scotland anti-violence campaign.

Youths buying alcohol and adults purchasing it on their behalf were targeted by police in order to make it harder for under-18s to get alcohol.

Police said the action also helped reduce problems with vandalism and anti-social behaviour caused as a result of teenage drinking.

Visits were carried out to off-sales premises to educate licensees and target youths gathering outside shops.

Campaign impact 478 litres of alcohol seized 364 visits to off sale premises Eight adults charged

These efforts were backed up by a poster campaign.

Assistant Chief Constable Neil Richardson pointed to a range of reasons for targeting underage drinkers.

"Throughout Scotland, communities report that youths under the influence of alcohol are blighting their communities through vandalism and anti-social behaviour," he said.

"By making it harder for them to acquire alcohol in the early evenings we are changing their behaviour later on and reducing the negative impact these groups have on their communities.

"We hope this month-long campaign will demonstrate that we take alcohol offences seriously and that supplying alcohol to under-18s is illegal and will not be tolerated."

Specific initiatives

One of the new initiatives introduced by police during the Safer Scotland campaign has been 'Alco-dip' kits which have proved successful.

By using the kit officers can check if alcohol is being concealed in a soft drink container.

A range of specific initiatives were carried out over the Lothian and Borders area.

A special operation was launched in Selkirk as part of the campaign

In Edinburgh, police teamed up with public transport operators to keep track of groups of potential troublemakers.

In Midlothian and East Lothian, there were weekend operations to tackle weapons carrying and alcohol offences.

Initiatives ran across West Lothian using high visibility patrols to target youth drinkers.

In the Borders, a specific operation was launched in the Galashiels and Selkirk areas.

The three-month programme is aimed at identifying adults who buy alcohol for young people.

It is supported by the NHS Drug and Alcohol Team, the Reiver Project, local licensees, community wardens, councillors and Border Reivers Rugby Club.