A POLICE crackdown on adults who buy alcohol for under-age drinkers is to begin in South Ockendon.

Posters warning people not to buy alcohol for those under 18 have been put up in newsagents and off licenses in the area as police look to stamp out the problem.

More officers will be placed on the street to enforce the scheme and off-licenses will be monitored to make sure no crimes are being committed.

Leading the campaign is Mark Yorke-Wade, of South Ockendon Police, who believes the public are in the dark about the punishment that can be dished out to people found guilty of buying booze for the under-age.

He said: "It's all about making the public aware.

"Adults caught buying alcohol for underage drinkers could face a fine of up to £80.

"A lot of criminal damage is caused by kids who get their hands on alcohol and we will be measuring the amount of damage caused now and how much is caused later on when the scheme has been up and running for a while."

If successful the campaign could be introduced across the borough.