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Police have been given powers to confiscate unopened bottles and cans of alcohol from under-age drinkers wherever they are in an attempt to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Previously police only had the power to confiscate opened bottles or cans of alcohol from under-age drinkers.

The new powers mean that police can seize beer, wines and spirits from anyone aged under 18 even though they might not be in an area where antisocial behaviour has been identified as a problem.

A Home Office spokesperson said the amendment to the Criminal Justice and Police Act was in response to concerns from the police that leaving any alcohol in the possession of under-age drinkers would allow them to continue drinking and create further nuisance once the officer had moved on.

"It recognises that drink-related antisocial behaviour is more likely to be committed by younger people than older people," said the spokesperson. "We need to give the police the powers to deal with situations when they arise. It does not mean an end to a peaceful family picnic."

The powers to remove alcohol from adults is limited to only those areas which have been designated by local authorities as places where people are causing a public nuisance or are likely to do so. This, too, has now been extended to include unopened bottles and cans.

Hazel Blears, Home Office minister and sponsor minister of the government’s alcohol harm reduction programme, said: "These new powers will be used against those who are, through their drinking, causing a public nuisance or are likely to do so."