Dispersal orders to tackle nuisance vehicles in Medway

A number of dispersal orders will be in place to tackle nuisance vehicles in Chatham, Chattenden, Hempstead, and Hoo.

They will operate from 6pm on Friday 8 September until 6pm on Sunday 10 September 2023, and cover:

• Four Elms Hill, Chattenden
• Peninsular Way, Ratcliffe Highway and roads within the boundary of Peninsular Way, Bell Lane, and Main Road, Hoo
• Leviathan Way, Dock Head Road, Maritime Way, Quayside, Portside View, Wheelwrights Way, Starboard Crescent, Western Avenue, and Walter Burke Way, Chatham
• Hoath Way, Hempstead Road, and Courtney Road, Gillingham

They also include the Dockside Outlet Centre, Chatham, the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, and Gillingham Business Park, as well as their associated car parks.

The orders are being implemented due to an increase in community complaints of nuisance vehicles and dangerous driving. They allow officers to stop anyone involved in anti-social behaviour and move them on from the area.

Inspector Daniel Blatter from the Medway Community Safety Unit said:

‘Residents have reported concerns about the dangers posed to other road users and the impact on the quality of life of the community. The orders give our officers additional powers to move on anyone causing a nuisance and, if necessary, arrest those who return to the area once dispersed. Those who persist in this behaviour also risk having their vehicles seized.’