POLICE will get new powers to confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will announce the move on Wednesday, when she will also demand action from drinks manufacturers to cut sales of alcohol to under-18s.

Up until now, police have only been able to seize alcohol from groups suspected of drink-related crime or disorder.

But the new measure will mean officers can take drink off youngsters who are spotted with it. Under-18's are not allowed to buy alcohol, but there is no law preventing them drinking it, and they will still be able to do so at home, where they are more likely to be supervised by responsible adults.

The new move comes in the wake of a public outcry at the menace of alcohol fuelled under-age disorder, following the murder of 47-year father of three Gary Newlove. He was kicked to death by a drunken gang outside his Warrington home.

Three teenagers were found guilty of inflicting the savage drink-fuelled beating in front of his terrified young daughters.

They are due to be sentenced on February 11.

The Home Secretary said: "If children are caught drinking in public, they'll have those drinks confiscated. I fully support communities' efforts to stamp out underage alcohol-fuelled disorder and the harm is causes."

Ministers say they are considering a ban on alcohol being offered at big discounts, amid concerns that cheap booze is fuelling violence on the streets and in pubs. But supermarket chains have defended themselves, arguing that they take the issue very seriously.

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