Anxious shoppers say they are worrying about going into Ashford town centre following a spike in anti-social behaviour during half-term.

Police have been forced to bring in a dispersal order across the area after more than 50 reports of incidents in the last two weeks.

Officers can order any person over 10 years of age to leave the area and not return for a stated period of time, if police suspect their behaviour has contributed, or is likely to contribute, to the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

If the person then fails to leave without a reasonable excuse, or returns within the stated period of time, they can be arrested.

The order came into force at midday on Tuesday and will run until the same time tomorrow.

Resident Glynn Hukins says she fears for the future of Ashford town centre.

“It makes me feel very sad,” she said.

“It used to be such a lovely little market town, but more and more shops are closing down and there are lots of cases of violence.

“I wouldn’t come down in the evening anymore and I think there are a lot of people like me.

“I went out for a meal recently and chose to go outside the town rather than in it because there has been so much violence. It’s a shame.”

Another resident said it’s not surprising the order has been implemented in the town.

“Police need to be up here more often to deal with it,” she said.

“It’s worse in half-term - parents don’t seem to care where their children are.

“Old people are scared to come out; I don’t like coming up here sometimes.”

Dawn Smyre says it’s a shame the dispersal order has had to be put in place.

“It depends what kind of behaviour it is; kids are going to be kids,” she said.

“But if they’re doing something which is vandalism then good, send them home.”

'Old people are scared to come out...'

Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster says the recent anti-social behaviour has included threatening and abusive towards staff at shops and restaurants.

“This dispersal order has been created after more than 50 reports have been received from residents and partner agencies in the last two weeks of anti-social behaviour in the area," she said.

“Anti-social behaviour is, at lowest level, a nuisance to people in the surrounding area however it can also cause people to feel threatened. That is something we cannot allow.

“We will continue to work with partner agencies to reduce future incidents.

“If necessary, we will not hesitate to issue a similar order in the future.”