TEENAGE drinkers had their booze seized by police who confiscated a hoard of alcohol including vodka, brandy and cider on Friday evening.

The youths, aged between 13 and 16, claimed to have got the drink from their unsuspecting parents, many of whom had bottles left over from Christmas and millennium celebrations.

Now parents are being warned to be extra vigilant to ensure their children do not get hold of alcohol.

Officers PC Simon Brown, PC Wayne Smith and PC Richard Shaw spotted the 10 youths in Otley Street, Skipton, and the town centre at 6.30pm on Friday, clutching the bottles.

PC Brown, community beat officer, said: "We confiscated a large quantity of alcohol including vodka, lager, beer, cider, Malibu and Bacardi Breezers. It is a real concern that it is not only lager but also spirits.

"The parents of the juveniles who were spoken to by officers will be receiving a formal warning letter from Skipton police.

"We would ask anyone who sees young people drinking on the street to contact Skipton police. Skipton police officers work closely with local off licences to tackle this problem as we do get complaints about rowdy and drunken youths on the streets. There is no suggestion that any of the alcohol seized on Friday was obtained from Skipton off licences because they are very vigilant and work very closely with the police."

Acting Sgt Bill Burns added: "Our concern is that young people, who are sometimes vulnerable in any case, place themselves in even more danger when under the influence of alcohol."

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