Police have been issued stronger powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour in another part of Kent amid fears the hot weather could spark trouble.
A dispersal order will come into force in Whitstable in areas such as the town centre, seafront and railway station from 3pm today and will remain in place for 48 hours.
A dispersal order will come into force in Whitstable today, giving police extra powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour
The dispersal order grants officers enhanced powers to move people of any age above 10 who are seen to be carrying out nuisance behaviour away from the area. They risk arrest if they return within a certain time limit.
A police spokesperson said: “Anyone under 18 can also expect to have alcohol confiscated from them if found.
“Those found with items suspected of being used to cause nuisance behaviour, such as music speakers, may also be asked to surrender them for the duration of the order.”
“The orders, coupled with high-visibility patrols, are part of the robust plans being carried out by neighbourhood policing teams across the county, in response to an expected increase in reports of antisocial behaviour between June and September, when there are traditionally higher numbers of visitors to beaches, parks and town centre locations.”
Earlier this week, police were granted extra powers in Thanet to crack down on anti-social behaviour in its town centres and seafronts.
Police have been called to anti-social behaviour in Thanet. Picture: Kent Police
Dispersal orders became active in Ramsgate, Margate, and Westgate, as well as the Westwood area of Broadstairs, from 2pm on Tuesday.
It comes after police say they are launching a “summer crackdown” on antisocial behaviour – as traders previously described being scared of “intimidating” crowds of youths.
Some businesses say they were forced to close when large numbers of young people descended on Broadstairs over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, with 27 orders handed out across the district.
The chaos followed a “Broadstairs Biggest Link Up” event promoted by an influencer, which sparked backlash from residents.
Videos on TikTok showed trains crammed with young people heading for the coast, and footage later showed officers dispersing crowds at Viking Bay amid reports of underage drinking and shoplifting.
Police at Margate railway station on Wednesday. Picture: @abankspam/TikTok
Police body-cam footage shows officers chasing and arresting suspects on the beach after fights broke out during an evening of disruption and anti-social behaviour.
Crowds flocked to the Kent coast as temperatures soared on Wednesday, but disturbances broke out among gatherings of young people in Broadstairs and Margate.
Kent Police has been asked to clarify whether dispersal orders in Thanet have been renewed.