A town centre exclusion zone has been set up by police in a crackdown on rowdy and racist gangs in Herne Bay.

The hardline tactic was introduced on Monday to give officers the power to ban nuisance youths from trouble hotspots if they pose a risk of being anti-social.

The decision to authorise the measure was taken following recent crimes, which have seen foreign students racially abused and assaulted.

In April visiting students were attacked by local youths twice in the William Street car park and a coach window was smashed.

The following month a gang of girls beat up two foreign students and in June a teenager was hit in the face by a stone thrown by a 20-strong group.

PC Jim Gall said: "This behaviour will not be tolerated. There will be a robust, multi-agency approach to deal with anyone that is identified as causing problems in Herne Bay.

"The dispersal zone will help officers that are patrolling in the area remove anyone who is being anti-social."

The extra powers – which will be in force until at least October 31 - will allow police to order gangs of two or more people to leave the banning zone for 24 hours.

Its perimeter runs along Richmond Street, Mortimer Street, William Street, Queen Street and King’s Road, covering problem areas like the William Street and King’s Road car parks.

See full story in Herne Bay Gazette