UNDERAGE drinking in Exmouth is to be further tackled by the police as they step up the pressure on youths.

UNDERAGE drinking in Exmouth is to be further tackled by the police as they step up the pressure on youths.

Officers are turning to new Home Office legislation in a bid to curb youngsters who are caught drinking alcohol on the streets.

And Operation Wyn this week returns to Exmouth - where officers bring to task youths found drunk or in possession of alcohol

The police said the aim of the crackdown was to educate underage drinkers and prevent their actions from becoming criminal, rather than prosecute.

Exmouth neighbourhood team sergeant Nick Southern said: "If there are youngsters in a group drinking, it is going to put people off from going through area.

"The rise and the fear of crime has a knock-on effect and that is why we are trying to educate."

Sgt Southern said underage drinking continued to be a problem in Exmouth - but one the police were determined to stamp out.

He said the new government rules gave four levels of power to tackle offenders.

If youngsters ignore parents and police community support officer intervention, they next face a visit from youth officer PC Gary Gates.

Underage drinkers who continue to offend go before a panel of representatives made up of social services, education staff and their parents.

Those who continue to ignore the police face an anti-social behaviour order.