Summer crackdown on antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour will be tackled head-on in Kent this summer as part of robust plans to keep disruption to a minimum.

Neighbourhood policing teams from across the county have been preparing for 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.

High-visibility patrols, targeted operations and the use of dispersal orders and other powers are all planned for the summer months and have already been utilised in some areas following the heatwave that brought large numbers of people to Kent’s coastal areas at the end of May.

For example, last weekend (Friday 29 to Sunday 31 May 2026) officers deployed to Margate and Broadstairs moved on a total of 52 people and made eight arrests for offences including refusing to comply with a dispersal order, possession with intent to supply drugs and various other public order offences.

This activity contributed to a calm environment at both locations where officers reported positive feedback from visitors, residents and local business owners.

Footage

Commitment

Superintendent Rob Marsh, Head of Strategic Prevention, said:

‘Tackling antisocial behaviour is a year-round commitment for Kent Police but the summer months present unique challenges that we always plan for in advance to ensure the people responsible are stopped in their tracks. ‘Whilst our officers cannot be everywhere at all times of the day and night, we can predict where our officers are likely to be needed the most and ensure they are on hand to respond quickly to incidents when they occur. We can and will also carry out proactive operations targeting the issues we know matter most to local people such as abusive street drinkers, the use of catapults to damage property and wildlife, and the riding of nuisance vehicles including e-scooters. ‘I also want to assure people who do not live in coastal areas that we take antisocial behaviour committed in all other parts of Kent just as seriously whether it be at parks, swimming pools, tourist attractions, town centres or anywhere else that may be attractive destinations to those intent on causing disruption. ‘Officers from across the county are well prepared to help prevent and respond to incidents, such as in Gravesend where they have an operation targeting the use of e-scooters planned, in Sevenoaks where they are liaising with the local council ahead of the planned introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order for the Riverside area, and in Chatham where they recently launched a new ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ initiative designed to tackle those individuals most responsible for committing crime and antisocial behaviour.’

Statistics

Last summer (June to August 2025) Kent Police received 10,225 reports relating to antisocial behaviour, including multiple reports for the same incidents. This figure accounts for 31% of the annual total ahead of autumn (September to November 2025 – 7,861 reports), spring (March to May 2025 – 7,836 reports) and winter (December 2025 to February 2026 – 6,819 reports).

The reports received in summer equate to around eight per policing district per day, with the majority (3,253) relating to nuisance gatherings followed by drunken or rowdy behaviour (2,130) and nuisance vehicles (1,941).

Preventative orders

Supt Marsh said:

‘The vast majority of people who go out to enjoy the warm weather do so responsibly. For the minority of troublemakers who think it is OK to start fights, damage people’s property or cause a nuisance to local residents or business owners, rest assured that you will be dealt with appropriately. ‘In the last financial year we used a total of 1,090 preventative orders across Kent including 227 dispersal orders, 13 property closures and 562 Community Protection Warnings and Notices, and we will not hesitate to do so again to help us tackle the troublemakers this summer. ‘There is no excuse for committing antisocial behaviour and our officers will act quickly to put a stop to anyone who does to ensure everyone else can enjoy their summer the way it is meant to be enjoyed.’