Adults who give youngsters alcohol have been branded irresponsible

The seizures were made during the first six weeks of the campaign Operation Dry-Up, where officers targeted known drinking dens in every Angus town.

Several adults have also been reported to the procurator fiscal after buying or selling alcohol for youngsters.

Concerns have been raised that too many young people in Angus suffer from alcohol-related problems.

Ch Supt Bill Harkins, of Tayside Police, said he was concerned that officers were continuing to find youngsters with large amounts of alcohol.

'Irresponsible parents'

"Police are regularly called to deal with youngsters under the influence of alcohol, shouting obscenities, throwing stones and eggs at cars and windows, being involved in street fights and wanton acts of vandalism," he said.

"This behaviour often reflects the actions of irresponsible adults who overindulge with alcohol."

A lot of the alcohol consumed by young persons comes from the home Dr Robert Peat Angus Drug and Alcohol Action Team

During the campaign, an Arbroath licensee has been reported twice for selling alcohol to under 18s and, in Montrose, two adults were caught buying drink for underage youths.

Dr Robert Peat, who chairs the Angus Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said police needed the support of everyone in the community to tackle the problem.

"A lot of the alcohol consumed by young persons comes from the home, sometimes with the knowledge of parents, or is bought for them by older, legal age friends or siblings," he said.

"There is a place for parents to teach their children about alcohol in the home and indeed as they get older to offer them small quantities as part of a meal if supervised by adults.