Week-long crackdown on anti-social behaviour

Individuals involved in nuisance and abusive behaviour were the target of a week-long crackdown in Kent.

Between Monday 3 July 2023 and Sunday 9 July 2023 officers from Kent Police took part in Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week specifically focussing on combatting anti-social behaviour and engaging with the communities they serve.

As a result numerous arrests were made for alleged drug dealing, e-scooter riders were spoken to, a car and several motorbikes were seized for anti-social driving and dispersal orders were enforced.

Superintendent Pete Steenhuis said: ‘Day in, day out, our officers provide a visible presence in the communities they serve, and work in close partnership with local councils to prevent future incidents taking place.

'This week of action complemented these efforts and provided us with an important opportunity to raise awareness and engage with our communities.’

High footfall areas across the county were regularly visited, including in Thanet where officers were deployed to Margate on Saturday 8 July and 30 cannisters containing nitrous oxide were seized.

High visibility patrolling also took place in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells as well as community walks with beat officers in Dover.

Officers in Medway carried out engagement work with partner agencies and issued several section 59 warnings to nuisance vehicles.

Other notable results include a property in Faversham being closed for a further three months following an extension. The house in St Nicholas Road will remain closed following complaints from residents about the premises.

Officers have also charged a man for breaching a criminal behaviour order on several occasions. Mitchell Styles, 45 from Canterbury Road East has been charged with breaching the order granted in 2022 which prevents him from making contact with emergency services unless in a genuine emergency. He is due to appear at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Friday 28 July 2023.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is also an important part of Kent Police’s Safer Summer initiative.

Supt Steenhuis added: ‘Our efforts will not stop, and I encourage anyone with a concern to report it to us. We will always review information provided and seek to take the most robust, and proportionate, course of action.’

My Community Voice

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