REDDITCH ambulance crews are being called to an increasing number of incidents involving drunk young teens, according to a town paramedic.

Frank Knight told the Advertiser alcohol-related violence among both youngsters and adults accounted for about 70-80 per cent of all incidents paramedics were called out to.

Although crews are called out to the occasional drugs-related incident, alcohol is by far the biggest problem in Redditch, he believes.

Crews have now been forced to introduce a policy of leaving people at the scene if they are being threatened.

Mr Knight said: "Drinking is a huge problem and it makes our job so much harder.

"What's very worrying is the number of times we are called out to incidents where inebriated youngsters are getting themselves into trouble.

"It is apparent there are quite a few places where teens as young as 13 or 14 can buy alcohol."

He added: "The violence and intimidation we often encounter from people is quite shocking.

"Increasingly, we are finding we are on the receiving end of it.

"Despite the fact we're trying to help injured people, the amount of physical and verbal abuse directed at us no longer surprises me.

"We have a zero tolerance policy. If we know we're at risk from these people we do not have to treat them and we simply leave the scene."

Police licensing officer Pc Simon Worley said: "Under-age drinking is an issue we take seriously and we work closely with licensees, shop staff, off-licences and pubs to ensure alcohol isn't available to under 18s.

"The effects of under-age drinking can have far-reaching consequences, both in terms of health and antisocial behaviour.

"We'd like to remind adults it's an offence to buy alcohol for under 18s and they can receive a fixed penalty fine of £80."