Police confiscated around 40 cans and bottles of alcohol from people drinking in a booze-free seafront zone.

Officers believe a zero-tolerance approach to street boozing is making Southend seafront a safer place.

Since 2002, there has been a ban on drinking along the Golden Mile, as well as in the High Street and other parts of the town centre.

This gives officers the power to confiscate booze.

Most of the haul at the weekend was taken from teenagers, although some was confiscated from adults flouting the drink ban.

All the alcohol has now been poured away.

PC Ian Harlow and PC Karl Help, who are based at the police office along Marine Parade, believe zero tolerance has caused a reduction in violent crime in the area.

PC Harlow said: "It has certainly reduced violent crime and has had a big impact.

"We all know drinking can lead to violence. People are not able to come down and drink in the street."

Summer is traditionally the seafront's busiest time of year, when an influx of families bring a more relaxed atmosphere to the area.

However, winter weekend evenings along the Golden Mile are also busy, with more people interested in drinking than enjoying the sea air.

As well as fuelling violence, booze leaves young people vulnerable in an area of town traditionally associated with crime at night.

PC Harlow added: "The health implications for the youngsters are also bad. They are not used to it. It is going to affect their livers.

"If they are in a bad way, we work with the ambulance service. If they are vulnerable, we will take them home or call their parents.

"They are going to be very vulnerable if they get to the point where they are not capable of looking after themselves."

PC Harlow had a simple message to parents of teenagers who booze along the seafront.

He said: "Keep an eye on the alcohol you have at home and keep an eye on what your children are doing."