Dedicated patrols will be in place across the county this weekend as part of Kent Police’s ongoing work to tackle anti-social behaviour involving vehicles. In recent weeks officers have responded to reports of motorists racing, drifting and causing excessive noise with their cars.
Police will be completing proactive patrols and will enforce the law where drivers are seen to be causing a nuisance or a danger to other road users. In addition, dispersal orders will be instigated in specific areas of Medway from 5pm on Friday 14 March to 5am on Sunday 17 March 2024.
These will be in force on the Medway City Estate and Medway Valley Leisure Park, Rochester; Hoath Way, Ito Way and Yokosuka Way, Gillingham; The Chattenden area and Peninsular Way, Hoo; and Chatham Dockside Outlet car park. The order gives officers additional powers to move on anyone causing a nuisance and, if necessary, arrest those who return to the area once dispersed.
A dispersal order will also be in place in areas of west Kent from the same time and will run until 5pm on Sunday 17 March. It will cover the A21 between Tonbridge Bypass and Flimwell Crossroads; North Farm industrial estate and Half Moon Lane, Tonbridge.
Superintendent Nick Sparkes said:
‘We are committed to ensuring residents and visitors enjoy their community without being disturbed by a small minority of people using their vehicles to commit anti-social behaviour.
‘Officers will be patrolling the county, and anyone found causing a nuisance will be required to leave and may be prosecuted. Anyone that chooses to return to the area once dispersed can expect to be detained.’
Anybody who wishes to report instances of anti-social behaviour should report it online via the Kent Police website. If a crime is in progress, please don’t hesitate to call 999.