Adults are being urged to prevent children getting alcohol

The youngster was among almost 100 who were found with alcohol or were under the influence during a two-month crackdown at the end of last year.

The youngsters caught also included eight children aged 12.

The force said it would continue to put extra resources towards tackling the issue, including additional uniform patrols in problem areas.

Friday and Saturday evenings are viewed as the main times for underage drinking, but youngsters have been caught with carry-outs as early as Friday lunchtime.

According to the seizures made by police, cider is the preferred tipple, followed closely by beer and lager.

Ch Supt Colin McCashey said: "It seems that for a large number of children in Dundee, binge drinking has become the preferred way to spend a Friday evening.

"Some teenagers have an air of invulnerability about them, particularly when emboldened by drink, and they perhaps don't realise the immediate and long-term risks of alcohol abuse.

"Adults have no such excuse, and it is to parents, older siblings, and others over the age of 18 who we are appealing to help us tackle this problem.

Under-age drinking will continue to be a problem until attitudes towards alcohol and drinking patterns in the adult population change Jack Law Alcohol Focus Scotland

"Children obtain alcohol far too easily nowadays. Adults are responsible for ensuring that children do not drink themselves into a stupor."

Youngsters who are caught with alcohol, or are gathered near where drink has been hidden, have their names taken by police.

Those found drunk will be brought home to their parents, to a place of safety, or can be given medical treatment.

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "The number of young people regularly drinking is concerning not only because of the potential damage to their health, but because of the risky situations they put themselves in when drunk like trying drugs, having unplanned/unprotected sex, and being a victim of an accident or crime.

"We want to see more effective alcohol education - not just in school, but also in the home.

"And we need to make it more difficult for under-18s to get hold of alcohol. It's a criminal offence not just for shops and pubs to sell to someone under 18, but also for adults who act as 'agents' by purchasing alcohol on their behalf.

"Unfortunately, we believe that under-age drinking will continue to be a problem until attitudes towards alcohol and drinking patterns in the adult population change."