Kent Police and partner agencies have responded to concerns raised by residents and business owners about antisocial behaviour in Chatham and on Friday 13 December 2024, officers and colleagues from Medway Council, Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement completed targeted enforcement in the High Street area.
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Police on patrol in Chatham – Images: Kent Police
During the day, three men aged 31,40 and 43, were stopped and arrested on suspicion of theft, a public order offence and on a court warrant.
Five e-scooters were seized as they were being used illegally, with two riders receiving traffic offence reports. Four people were given public space protection orders for street drinking and their alcohol was confiscated. Several people were stopped and searched, and two further traffic offence reports were issued to motorists for driving without insurance.
The immigration officers executed a warrant at a private address in the town and Trading Standards teams seized multiple illegal vapes from two town centre shops. Several public houses were also visited to check they were complying with their licence conditions and eviction notices were served on those who had put up multiple tents near the riverside.
Inspector Paul Diddams said:
‘We are aware that local people want robust enforcement to tackle some of the issues that can affect their quality of life. Working with other agencies, we were able to complete a range of actions that we hope will reduce antisocial behaviour in the town.
‘Those who continue to commit crime or cause a nuisance will receive regular attention and appropriate sanctions from the town beat constables until they put a stop to their disorderly behaviour.’