A crackdown on underage drinking in Caldicot saw police confiscate more than 60 bottles and cans of alcohol from teenagers.

Parents and guardians of 27 youngsters, aged between 13 and 16, received warning letters explaining that their child was found drinking alcohol.

The operation was put in place after a number of people informed the Neighbourhood Policing Team of issues with underage drinking near Caldicot Castle.

The team have also worked on tackling the root cause of the issue by working closely with Monmouthshire Youth Service.

Rory Garey of Monmouthshire Youth Service said: "Severnside Neighbourhood Policing Team and staff from The Zone engage with local young people regularly around the issues of substance misuse.

"Local Community Support Officers have also run alcohol awareness workshops in The Zone, a local youth club, in partnership with Monmouthshire Youth Service.

"These were delivered to raise the awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol and acting inappropriately in public."

Inspector Geoff Smith, Partnership Inspector for Monmouthshire, said: "It's well known that alcohol has close links with crime and anti-social behaviour.

"Basically, I'm saying that the more a young person drinks alcohol, the more likely they are to get into trouble and end up with a criminal record.

"Local police officers and Community Support Officers actively patrol areas where problems occur and will confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers.

"We have worked closely in Caldicot with Monmouthshire Youth Service to make young people aware of the social and health problems drinking alcohol can cause, and presentations have been given both at the Zone Youth Club and in local schools as part of Police involvement in the core Schools Programme."