Whitstable dispersal order in place for hot weather weekend

A dispersal order has been put in place in Whitstable as part of Kent Police’s ongoing commitment to deter antisocial behaviour. Officers will be out on the streets to remind people to socialise responsibly, or face further action being taken against them.

The Section 34 dispersal orders will become active in Whitstable, including areas such as the town centre, seafront, and train station from 3pm on Friday 26 June 2026. The order will remain in place for 48 hours.

The dispersal order grants officers enhanced powers to move people of any age above 10, who are seen to be carrying out nuisance behaviour, away from the area. If they return within a certain time limit, they risk arrest.

Anyone under 18 can also expect to have alcohol confiscated from them if found. Those found with items suspected of being used to cause nuisance behaviour, such as music speakers, may also be asked to surrender them for the duration of the order.

The orders, coupled with high-visibility patrols, are part of the robust plans being carried out by neighbourhood policing teams across the county, in response to 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.