Tayside Police seized a record amount of alcohol from under age drinkers in Dundee last weekend during Operation Dry Up.

The quantities recovered are the largest in the city since the focussed operation began at the end of last year.

In all almost 95 litres of cider, more than 70 cans of lager or beer, a litre of alcopops, six litres of spirits, a litre of Buckfast and a quantity of wine was seized from young people in Dundee on Friday and Saturday evenings (May 9 and 10).

Chief Inspector Kevin Lynch, Head of Operations in Dundee, said:

‘‘Our Dry Up patrols allow us to give particular focus to areas where there have been issues before concerning youngsters involved in anti-social and alcohol-related behaviour.

‘‘The operation is very much intelligence led and its success very much relies upon information from the public. Therefore, it is very much thanks to the residents of Dundee that our officers were able to make significant recoveries at the weekend.

‘‘The more we hear from the community, the more we can do to influence these types of issues.’’

Dedicated police patrols were dispatched to areas where youngsters have previously been found with alcohol including Perth Road, Seabraes, Dudhope Park, Black Street and Magdalen Green and recoveries were made.

The Dry Up team also patrolled areas of Charleston, Lochee and Menzieshill over the weekend, recovering 19 litres of cider, whilst maintaining a high profile that appeared to have a positive impact on complaints about youths causing annoyance and alcohol-related issues.

Proactive patrols were also undertaken in Ardler, St Mary’s, Kirkton and Camperdown Park with 58 cans of lager, and 32 litres of cider, as well as two and a half litres of vodka being seized in these areas alone.

Several youths were taken home to their parents or guardians and it was noted that three of these youngsters were back on the street within an hour of being taken home.

One juvenile was arrested for being drunk and incapable and another charged for breach of the peace. A third was charged for being in possession of a knife. All were boys aged 15.

Across these parts of Dundee, officers visited 19 licensed premises.

Officers were also proactive in the Hilltown area, as well as Baxter Park and Stobswell. Tayside Police is also encouraged by the efforts of park rangers at Baxter Park are being vigilant in terms of any problems arising there.

Tayside Police received 16 youth-related calls covering areas such as Huntly Square, Happyhillock Road, Whitfield, Douglas, Barnhill and Broughty Ferry, during Friday and Saturday evenings.

Patrols here led to the recovery of almost 35 litres of cider and one youth was taken home and warned about his behaviour in front of his parents.

In all, the names of 56 young people were taken by officers patrolling across Dundee on Friday and Saturday evening as part of Operation Dry Up.

Anyone with any information that could assist Operation Dry Up in Dundee should call Tayside Police on 0845 600 5705 or speak to their local officer.