POLICE are to breathalyse teenage clubbers before allowing them in to a popular Essex nightspot as part of a crackdown on binge-drinking.

POLICE are to breathalyse teenage clubbers before allowing them in to a popular Essex nightspot as part of a crackdown on binge-drinking.

Only those with negative breath-tests will be allowed into an under-18's disco to be held at Dukes Genesis in Chelmsford next week, held to celebrate the end of the school term.

Last time the club held such a night, in May, some of those attending tried to circumvent the event's no-alcohol policy by drinking heavily in advance.

This resulted in one girl being taken to hospital after she fell unconscious and six others needing treatment by paramedics.

Police licensing Manager, Martin Reed, said yesterday he wanted to prevent a repeat performance from “immature” teenagers.

“Everyone wants to stop youngsters becoming drunk in public places,” he said.

“Dukes itself is a safe environment for boy and girls to enjoy themselves, but some seem to think they must drink before going in.”

Mr Reed added: “Anyone who is prevented from entering the club due to alcohol intoxication will have their parents called to collect them and return them home.”

The multi-agency operation is supported by Essex Trading Standards, East of England Ambulance Service and Chelmsford's street pastors.

A high-visibility campaign will also be conducted in the hours leading up to the event, with officers patrolling the town centre to catch drunk people and confiscate their alcohol.

Any drinks found will be poured into a drain and the teenagers responsible will automatically be refused entry to Dukes.