A tough crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence in Southend has claimed major successes in its first month, police said today.

Just three out of 40 off-licences targeted in sting operations in the past four weeks sold alcohol to under 18s because they were aware of the campaign, police said.

So far seven louts have received £40 on-the-spot fines for being drunken and disorderly and one man was given an £80 fine for a public order offence.

Police believe the campaign, part of a nationwide blitz, has hammered home the message to off-licences and the public that any violence through drinking will not be tolerated.

Southend Chief Supt Mick Thwaites said: "The number of off-licences selling to under 18s has tailed off considerably as the word got around the town. They have been much more careful.

"Also, people know we are out there and active. We don't want to catch people offending - we want to deter them."

Published Friday August 6, 2004

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