Parents who buy alcohol for their children are being blamed for the rise in yob culture.

A police investigation in the Preston Park area of Brighton revealed that residents have been plagued for more than a year by youths urinating and vomiting in their gardens.

One woman told police: "Large groups of youths congregate and drink alcohol in the nearby parks. Sometimes the noise of shouting is so loud, you can hear them several streets away.

"Other friends and neighbours have complained of people urinating outside their house or coming out of their front door in the morning to find somebody has been sick all over their path.

"Some local shops have become places where our younger children who would once have enjoyed a bit of independence by going out for some sweets, now feel intimidated by the older youths hanging around outside in big groups."

A police crackdown last weekend resulted in one adult being caught and charged with buying alcohol for minors and a girl of 14 arrested for being drunk and smashing a front door.

Officers seized 34 cans of beer, four bottles of wine and two bottles of vodka.

They took details and filmed youths during the officers' eight-hour shift in the Fiveways, Preston Park and Balfour Road area.

The blitz was part of a Sussex-wide crackdown launched by Chief Constable Ken Jones under the label "Enough is Enough".

Police in Brighton and Hove are sending letters to off licences to remind managers not to sell to minors. They will later be given posters to warn customers that those who buy booze for anyone under 18 could be fined up to £5,000 Julia Wyborn-Dore, police violent crime reduction officer, said there was a small number of adults who buy alcohol for youngsters hanging around outside off licences.

She said: "Many think this is quite harmless but it is completely the opposite. Not only is it illegal, it is also totally irresponsible."

She added: "People with concerns about off licences in their area or who have any knowledge of where under 18s are obtaining alcohol should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."