Police have been given special powers as part of a crackdown on rowdy behaviour.

A dispersal order will be in place in Gravesend from 6pm tonight for 48 hours.

Kent Police says it has been implemented following a rise in groups becoming "disorderly" in a number of areas.

Inspector Kirsty Atkin, of Gravesham's Community Safety Unit, said: "We have recently received reports of groups causing noise, damage and being disorderly in all these areas.

"Officers will be patrolling these roads and open spaces and anyone found causing a nuisance will be required to leave or, in the case of young people, taken home to their parents.

"Those who choose to return once dispersed can expect to be arrested."

The 48-hour order will be in place at the Christian Fields estate, covering the areas of Christian Fields Avenue, Mungo Park Road and its adjacent streets.

A second location, surrounding Medhurst Park, will see Medhurst Gardens, Hibernia Drive, St Gregory’s Crescent, Cervia Way and St Margaret’s Crescent under similar increased enforcement.

The dispersal order will also be in place within the Denton area, including in Dalefield Way and Dering Way.

Anyone found acting in a disorderly or anti-social manner can be directed by a police officer or PCSO to leave the area.

Residents can report instances of anti-social behaviour online via the Kent Police website.

If a crime is in progress, police urge people not to hesitate in calling 999.

The order comes at the same time more than 250 calls have been made to police in the last year about alcohol-related anti-social behaviour incidents.

Gravesham council has now decided to renew its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for an alcohol free zone for another three years to help crack down on incidents in the town centre.