Tougher measures for young drinkers

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Youngsters who refuse to stop will also be criminalised and police will be given new powers to take booze away from children as young as 10.

The moves will be unveiled as part of a raft of measures designed to curb binge-drinking among teenagers and children as young as 10.

Youths who regularly drink alcohol in public will be committing a new offence under legislation to be announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

Police will also be handed tougher powers to disperse gangs of youngsters congregating in the street and other popular hangouts like parks and bus shelters.

The cross-Whitehall drive comes amid heightened concern among voters about anti-social behaviour and alcohol abuse among younger people.

Alcohol Concern attacked the move to criminalise children for drinking but welcomed greater involvement for parents.

"Young people with drink problems need support and advice, not a criminal record and there is a danger that kids are going to be criminalised for copying adult behaviour," a spokesman said. "Until we get to the heart of why young people drink in public it's unlikely that we'll see any sort of change in attitudes or behaviour."

The alcohol action plan will see teenagers persistently possessing alcohol in public subjected to anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and acceptable behaviour contracts.

Their parents will be hit by similar orders and contracts - including the requirement to attending parenting courses - if they fail to get their children to "change their ways". Ultimately, they could be prosecuted.