TEENAGE boozers could be given their own drinking dens under controversial plans, it was revealed today.

Experts from the York-based Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) believe the idea could help protect underage drinkers.

It was greeted with outrage by police officers and alcohol counsellors, who branded it "astonishing and unworkable".

PC Graham Cooper, who tackles underage street drinking, said: "What kind of message would it send out to kids, their parents or communities that are suffering from alcohol-related trouble? It's astonishing."

The news came as York's most senior licensing magistrate said children as young as 15 with alcohol dependency were coming before the courts.

Speaking at the annual licensing review today, Penny Curry said the link between underage drinking and violent crime was of "increasing concern".

The study found youngsters in their early teens who got drunk on the streets were in more danger than older children sneaking into pubs.

Experts want community leaders to investigate supervised drinking sessions for youngsters.

Lester Coleman, who led the study, said: "We feel that one thing worth more debate or investigation is the idea of supervised drinking for young people.

"We cannot stop young people drinking. If we are going to recognise that young people do drink in this way, then how can we get them supervised drink venues?"

Alison Tubbs, of York's Alcohol Advice Service, said: "My main concern is for young people's health. The law has the age of drinking set at 18 for good reasons, not just to be spoilsports.

"I appreciate that a large percentage of the population drink when they are under 18, but I don't think we should be encouraging it."

Penny Curry was speaking today at the final Brewster Sessions, before new laws transfer power from the courts to City of York Council later this year.

She said: "This committee has, year after year, highlighted our concerns, especially with regard to underage drinking and the link between public disorder, violent crime and young persons who have consumed alcohol."

Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick, who is responsible for the York and Selby areas, said 68 under-18s were arrested drunk last year, representing seven per cent of the 956 people arrested under the influence of alcohol. He said the figure was "disappointing", although test purchasing, alcohol confiscation and the work of licensees had helped to reduce the figure slightly from the previous year.

New police figures released today also revealed that of 79 premises visited by undercover trading standards officers last year, 17 sold alcohol to under-18s. Ten have been prosecuted so far.

Chief Supt Madgwick said some off-licences appear to be "deliberately disregarding the law" when it comes to selling booze to children, and pledged to prosecute those caught. Statistics also showed that of the 956 people arrested while drunk in 2004, 499 were picked up for violence or public disorder.

Updated: 09:51 Thursday, February 03, 2005