Dispersal orders in place for Swale’s town centres

Officers policing New Year celebrations in Swale’s town centres have been granted extra powers to prevent crime.

Dispersal orders are in place in Sheerness, Sittingbourne and Faversham in an effort to combat any antisocial behaviour and criminal activity related to the night-time economy.

The orders will be in place from 4pm on New Year’s Eve and will run until 4pm on New Year’s Day.

Order boundaries

In Sheerness, the area covered includes Tesco, Broadway up to the junction with Richmond Street and the High Street up to and including the Bridge Road roundabouts.

In Sittingbourne, the order encompasses the town centre between the Retail Park, Dover Street, Avenue of Remembrance, and Bell Road up to the Eurolink Way roundabout.

In Faversham, the order extends from the Quay to the railway station, with the area bordered by Newtown Road and South Road.

Extra powers

The order gives officers additional powers to move on anyone causing a nuisance and, if necessary, arrest those who subsequently return to the area. Cars or motorbikes used in an antisocial or dangerous manner will be seized. 

Increased stop and search powers are also enabled by the enacting of dispersal orders.

'An enjoyable and safe night out'

Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster said: 

‘We are committed to ensuring residents and visitors feel safe when out and about and we will not tolerate intimidating or illegal behaviour. ‘Officers will be patrolling the area and anyone being disorderly or found causing a nuisance will be required to leave. Those who choose to return once dispersed can expect to be detained. 'We hope everyone has fun tonight and we're putting these orders in place to make sure all those celebrating have an enjoyable and safe time out in our town centres.'

Anybody who wishes to report instances of antisocial behaviour should report it online via the Kent Police website. If a crime is in progress, please don’t hesitate to call 999.