PARENTS are being asked if they know what their children are really up to as police launch a clampdown on underage drinkers.
Hartlepool Police say youngsters have been found wandering the streets so drunk that they often pose a serious risk to themselves.
The six-week school holidays is said to be linked to an increase in anti-social behaviour and underage drinking so e
xtra police patrols are being carried out under the banner Stay Safe Lite.
Parents are also being asked to keep an eye on their children during the six-week break.
Acting Chief Inspector Mick Brown, of Hartlepool Police, said: "My appeal to parents is help us to keep your family safe.
"We are not there to spoil the fun, but just ask yourself, do you really know where your child is going when they walk out the door?
"There is a very clear responsibility placed on parents and guardians in respect of their children.
"Too often officers are finding young people wandering around the streets heavily under the influence of alcohol, often in a state where they pose a significant risk to themselves.
"Most parents are really supportive of what we are trying to do, which is to keep people in this town safe."
Any youngsters found wandering the streets at night with alcohol will be taken home and both the children and their guardians will be warned of the importance of personal safety and the seriousness of underage drinking.
Officers will also be actively enforcing Designated Public Places Order zones (DPPOs), which allows them to prevent people from openly drinking in public places.
Acting Chf Insp Brown added: "Our officers will be increasing patrols around local hotspots and shops selling alcohol to ensure that the message is received loud and clear."
Stay Safe Lite follows on from Operation Stay Safe, which saw several agencies join forces to keep children safe and away from crime.
