Renewed policing powers to target nuisance behaviour in Thanet

Additional policing powers aimed at deterring nuisance behaviour have been renewed in Thanet.

A Section 34 dispersal order has been put in place for 48 hours as part of ongoing work by Kent Police to disrupt antisocial behaviour in Margate. It follows the use of the powers already in place in Broadstairs which came into force at 4.30pm on Friday 20 June 2025 and which remains in place until Sunday afternoon.

The orders have been implemented due to ongoing concerns relating to issues caused by a small minority of young people in some public areas including the town and beach areas. These have included under-age street drinking, fighting and reports of aggressive behaviour towards staff at shops.

Under Section 34 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, officers can use the additional powers to instruct people to leave the area and anyone who returns after being dispersed risks being arrested.

Officers have also been granted additional authority to stop and search individuals in Margate under Section 60 of the Public Order Act.

The dispersal orders cover the two town centres as well as the seafronts and surrounding streets and the public can expect to see additional patrols working together to reduce the risk of further offending and target those causing nuisance behaviour.