POLICE in West Devon this week issued a warning to the parents of teenagers regarding the dangers of alcohol.

The appeal follows incidents when youngsters have undertaken all-night camps on the moors near Whitchurch Down.

The most recent was overnight between July 18 and 19 — which nearly ended in tragedy and sparked a search involving the police helicopter and specially trained officers.

Sgt Dave Anning said young people had made camps around the edge of Whitchurch Down for many years and stayed out overnight, usually once exams were finished.

'There has always been some element of drinking, but since the fad for binge drinking began, these events have taken a nasty turn.

The recent rescue operation began after worried parents received a 7.30am phone call from two girls, saying their daughter was very drunk. The girls said they were leaving her on the moor so they could go into Plymouth.

As far as the girl's parents were aware, their daughter was staying at a friend's house. There was no reply when they tried her mobile phone.

They went to search the moor and eventually came across their daughter's rucksack, complete with mobile phone and purse, but no sign of her. Seriously worried, they went to Tavistock Police Station and a search was instigated.

At 12.42pm the police helicopter detected a person huddled on the moor. Officers discovered the 15-year-old collapsed, with a sprained ankle. She was unable even to walk and was taken to Derriford Hospital.

Sgt Anning said: 'Incredibly, her friends had just left her to fend for herself so they could go ice-skating in Plymouth.'

Sgt Anning said this was not a grown up way to experiment with alcohol.

'In the event of a medical emergency these kids have no first aid kit, and wouldn't be able to use it if they did,' he said.

'Even having a mobile phone is no use if you're too drunk to use it.

'They are isolating themselves in the middle of nowhere and then putting themselves in real danger by drinking far too much far too quickly.

'When things go wrong they don't know where they are and they don't know what to do. If this carries on there is a very real risk that one or more will be seriously hurt before long.'

Sgt Dave Anning was also critical of the litter left behind after impromptu 'camps'.

'Dozens of beer cans, bottles of all sorts, food wrappings, sex litter and the glass from dozens of smashed bottles litters the ground all around the site.

'The aftermath made it impossible for anyone to enjoy the location and I'm sure some of the youngsters involved will have gone home with cuts and other injuries they will have explained away.

'Tents are now cheaply available, and we are increasingly finding them just abandoned.'

School papers were found among the debris, which has led police to conclude that school students are involved.

Sgt Anning added: 'Unfortunately, youngsters are telling their parents they are staying at each others' houses, then setting off for a night of drunkenness on the moor.

'As a result there will be more patrols by the police, assisted by other agencies, including Dartmoor National Park Authority.

'Illegal camps or groups whose behaviour is simply not acceptable will be disbanded and parents will be expected to come out and collect their children, regardless of the hour.'