A MAJOR police blitz in a notorious crime hotspot has seen drugs seized, booze confiscated and several arrests in its first weeks.

Operation Woodrich is now in full swing and already senior police officers are delighted with early results.

As revealed by the Evening Times, the operation was launched to protect children and teenagers at risk of being exploited by criminals.

In the first three weeks, police have seized drugs, so-called legal highs and alcohol from underage drinkers.

Three people have been arrested for alleged hate crimes and suspected heroin dealers have also been nicked.

Operation Woodrich is targeting an area of the city dubbed the Four Corners by beat cops.

As well as stamping out child sexual exploitation and disrupting drug dealers, senior officers want to make the notorious area safer.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland, said: "We are now three weeks into Operation Woodrich and our increased presence and focus, along with the Community Enforcement Officers from Community Safety Glasgow, is already making a difference.

"I'm happy young people, and other groups, are still using the area.

"But local businesses, and our partners across the city, are reporting a real improvement in the level of anti-social behaviour and disorder.

In the three week period, we have detected 15 drug offences including the arrest of a drug dealer found with a dealer quantity of heroin.

"Other arrests have included a male who had six apprehension warrants out for his arrest and several public disorder offences."

Extra resources have been drafted in and dozens of officers will be involved in the operation, which runs throughout summer.

The campaign comes amid fears vulnerable children and teenagers gathering at the Four Corners may be lured into prostitution and drug-running.

Police said Operation Woodrich is the culmination of months of intelligence work.

Mr Sutherland, area commander for the city centre, said: "Our commitment to protecting vulnerable people from harm remains one of my highest priorities.

"We have made six new psychoactive substances (NPS) seizures and will be investigating where these were purchased, with a view to taking action.

"We have also located two vulnerable missing persons in the area and made three arrests for hate crime offences.

"Our increased presence has also allowed us to increase our engagement with the local community and to really understand and address their concerns.

"While the early signs are encouraging, I am very much aware that this problem, which has been around for many years, will not be resolved in a few weeks of action.

"We are still identifying an unacceptable volume of street drinking with 17 offences detected.

"I would again remind everyone that is illegal to drink in public in Glasgow.

Only a sustained partnership approach will make a real difference in the long term and this is something I am committed to."

At the centre of the Four Corners is the busiest McDonald's restaurant in Scotland, which has been plagued by problems.

The fast food outlet in Argyle Street was once the subject of 200 police reports in 14 months.

Operation Woodrich will also focus on preventing disorder and anti-social behaviour, which the city centre junction has become notorious for.

Among the incidents reported at the McDonald's were youths drinking, staff being verbally abused and customers refusing to leave.

Dozens of officers will be involved in the operation, which runs throughout summer.

Mr Sutherland added: "I believe if we continue to seize alcohol, drugs, and so-called legal highs, we will have an impact on disorder, anti-social behaviour, disorder and violence.

"Early intervention is key.

"But we can't achieve anything positive without working with our partners, and the people who live, work, and visit the city centre."