Many residents will, no doubt, be glad that police are cracking down on under-age drinking in the streets and parks of Borehamwood.

Reports of rowdy behaviour by young drunks, on one hand, and cases of alcohol poisoning of children as young as 14, on the other, makes this a welcome police initiative. Residents benefit and it is in the interests of the young people too.

But perhaps the main benefit of the policy is not so much that lager and 'alcopops' are heading down the drain away from young mouths, but that police, by talking to youngsters, are finding out which licensed premises are supplying the alcohol.

People under 18 should not try to buy alcohol, and should not drink it in a public place; but it is not actually an offence for them to do either, despite police powers to confiscate the alcohol.

The fact that the Prime Minister's 16-year-old son was recently found drunk is evidence that many youngsters experiment with alcohol before their 18th birthday.

Those who are most at fault, and should and do know better, are the off-licences and pubs which sell the alcohol.

Admittedly, some young teenagers, especially girls, do look 18, but if there is any doubt licensed premises should ask for identification.

Under The Licensing Act 1964, both the licensed premises and the individual member of staff can be prosecuted for the criminal offence of selling alcohol to under-18s.

And, it is the responsibility of bosses of licensed premises to ensure their staff are properly trained.