ALMOST 40 litres of alcohol were seized by undercover officers patrolling the streets in a taxi.

Officers seized four bottles of spirits, seven bottles of cider, 46 cans of lager, one bottle of wine and five bottles of alcopops from 20 children in Accrington.

Special constables, plain clothed officers and staff from the Safer Travel Unit took part in the scheme – named Operation Trojan – to crackdown on crime and vandalism on Accrington’s public transport network at the weekend.

The plan to use the ‘Trojan taxi’ came following complaints about anti social beha-viour in the area from residents as well as bus and taxi companies.

Officers spoke to over 80 children as part of the operation and a 14-year-old boy was handed a youth referral form, with a letter sent home to his parents, after he was found drunk in Harvey Street, Oswaldtwistle.

PC Mark Parrington who ran the operation said: “This was a very worthwhile operation, which is clearly helping to successfully target anti social behaviour and underage drinking.

“We will not tolerate crime and disorder on our public transport or in our communities and will continue to work with other agencies in the future to make sure that the people of Hyndburn can travel around the borough safely.”

Anyone with information about crime or disorder in their comm-unity is urged to contact the police on 0845 1 25 35 45.

Or alternatively they can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.