POLICE have vowed to continue their crackdown on underage drinking after 34 young people were caught trying to sneak into a licensed venue in Bondi Junction in just two hours.

Eastern Suburbs police acting crime manager Adam Pearce said he was “surprised” and “alarmed” at the high number of youths busted for presenting false identification to security staff at The Eastern on Oxford St last Saturday.

None of the youths made it into the venue and 25 were given a $220 penalty notice.

Detective Acting Inspector Pearce put young people “on notice” that the penalty also carried a six-month extension to any learner or provisional driver's licence period.

This applied to offenders who already hold a NSW licence or those who obtain one in the next five years.

Many of the youths had tried to use genuine licences obtained from people over the age of 18 who looked like them to get into the hotel.

media_camera Eastern Suburbs Liquor Accord president Adam Purcell media_camera Underage drinkers have been “put on notice”

Others used debit cards and store loyalty cards in the name of an adult, while some had altered the birth date on licences.

Insp Pearce said police planned to carry out more operations but his lips were sealed on which suburbs would be targeted next.

“With the startling success of that operation, we have undertaken to put plans in place for the future,” he said.

“It’s unlikely just one premises is experiencing this inundation so we will share the love and target different venues and areas.”

The Eastern declined to comment but Eastern Suburbs Liquor Accord president Adam Purcell said he welcomed police operations to target underage drinking.

media_camera Loyalty cards and debit cards were also used by underage drinkers when they tried to get into The Eastern in Bondi Junction

“No underage people were caught inside (The Eastern) which shows their screening process at the front door was effective,” said Mr Purcell.

“Because of the operation on Saturday night, we now have a much clearer idea as to what we should be looking for at the door in terms of look-alikes and scratched licences.”

Police are continuing investigations into those who may have altered drivers licences or lent their licences to underage people. If they are convicted at court, they face a maximum fine of $2200.