Two strikes underage alcohol rule in today

The "two strikes and you're out" rule on underage alcohol sales comes in to force today.

Councillors can now also call for a licence reviews themselves, rather than wait for local people or police to raise concerns.

Under the two-strikes rule, licensees face fines of up to £10,000 and three-month licence suspensions for selling alcohol to under-18s twice in three months. A three-strikes rule has existed since 2007.

There will also be new powers to confiscate alcohol from under-18s and to disperse young people. And a new offence of persistently possessing alcohol in public by under-18s will also be created.

"The majority of young people are model citizens but there are a minority that are not," said Home Office minister Alan Campbell. "These powers will make it easier for police to take tough action against those groups whose behaviour can affect a whole community."

Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: "The powers coming in to force today support our work to delay the age at which young people start drinking alcohol.

"It is right that we give the police tough powers to crack down on the very small minority of young people who are causing problems in their communities.

"We are backing up this enforcement with prevention and support for young people, by providing them with activities and places to go to, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, so they have positive alternatives to drinking."