Extra patrols tackling underage drinking and confiscate alcohol from youths begin tonight.

Youngsters drinking in streets and parks across Oxfordshire will be targeted in a two week crackdown to coincide with the school's half-term holidays.

Police will target known drinking hotspots and anyone under 18 found with alcohol will have their booze confiscated.

Insp John Fox, Thames Valley Police's alcohol and violent crime co-ordinator, said: "Under 18s put themselves at risk by getting drunk and losing control.

"We know from anecdotal evidence that some young people who get drunk go on to become either a victim of crime of an offender causing vandalism or committing anti-social behaviour.

"We will be confiscating alcohol from under 18s and hope to send a clear message that this is illegal and unacceptable."

As well as confiscating alcohol from youths police hope to gather information on any licensed premises that sells drink to anyone under age.

Prof John Newton, regional director for public health at NHS South Central, said: "Underage drinking is a real concern for the NHS. The damage that drinking causes at such a young age is a tragedy and can be easily underestimated by the young people concerned."

Police spokesman Rebecca Webber said it is unlikely any youths caught with alcohol would be arrested.

She added: "It is not specifically an offence to have alcohol in you possession and there will only be arrests if there is a public order offence.

"The youths details' will be taken down and the alcohol will be disposed of."

The NHS estimates every day across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight around three people under 18 are admitted to hospitals as a direct result of alcohol.