Children aged eight and nine are regularly drunk in Chelmsford, and there are known alcoholics as young as 13.

It is believed that many parents are giving their children alcohol because they think it is preferable to drugs.

Chelmsford police crime reduction officer Kathy Payne said: "As a result of drinking, many young people are coming into contact with the police through anti-social behaviour and other more serious criminal activity, ranging from minor damage to serious assaults.

"Often, young people end the night receiving medical attention because of injuries sustained while intoxicated or due to alcohol overdose."

An area youth worker said: "I regularly come across young people, many as young as 13, who are drunk week after week. In many cases, it is the parents who supply the alcohol to their children.

"I think many parents don't consider alcohol as a drug and think it is preferable for their children to drink than to take drugs.

"Many teenagers will experiment with both drugs and alcohol. Alcohol is often viewed as all right by society and therefore safe."

Nine out of 10 boys have drunk alcohol by the time they are 13.

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