PCSO Lynn Turner said initial reports were that there were between 300 and 400 youths scattered around Caergwrle on Friday night, as teenagers celebrated their last day of school.

She said police moved on more than 100 of the under-age drinkers, although she could not put an exact figure on the number of youths who descended on the area.

She said: "We had problems in Caergwrle on Friday night.

"It was reported that there were between three and four hundred there but when arrived there wasn't as many as that, although there was a large number.

"There was more than 100 but I couldn't put an exact figure on it because they were coming and going.

"We had the police horses down there with us making sure the groups were dispersed of quickly."

Police are working to ensure there is not a repeat of the problems across the county as they continue to curb underage drinking by patrolling the Wrexham area.

A police operation aimed at cutting down on underage drinkers who choose to booze rather than revise for their exams will also be carried out this week.

Two dedicated teams will patrol areas identified as hotspots for underage drinking and confiscate any alcohol found.

Officers in Acton have warned that youngsters will be arrested or given fixed penalty fines if they are found committing anti-social behaviour after consuming drink.

The operation is targeted at those who have just left year 11 of school on study leave – and even extends to searching known areas in the daytime in case any alcohol has been stashed by youths.

PC Paul Davies said: "If they are caught it will be confiscated and offences will be dealt with by fixed penalties or arrests.

"We did it last year and it was very successful. In the daytime areas will be checked for kids stashing alcohol.

"It leads to criminal damage of people's property and it is not going to be tolerated.

PCSO Lynn Turner added: "Every year, at this time the fifth formers are leaving school before they start their exams.

"It causes problems because of the sheer number of them and that's why there's operations in place.

"The schools have staggered there leaving dates which is a great help to us.

"What we have are patrols with as many available officers as possible including community beat managers, PCSOs and the Sergeant in vehicles, going out to specifically target underage drinkers.

"These patrols are still ongoing and have patrols every night this week.
"If there are large groups of underage drinkers, we will find them."

PCSO Turner also gave a message to parents of the 15 and 16-year-olds leaving school, adding: "Try to make sure they are not able to get hold of any alcohol.

"We do believe the local off licenses are not serving them but they are getting it from somewhere.

"They should also warn their children of the dangers of alcohol."