Dispersal orders are being brought in in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the district.

Parks in the Westgate area of Canterbury and Herne Bay seafront will be targeted by police.

Uniformed officers will have the power to disperse intimidating groups and ban people from the areas for up to 24 hours.

Children under 16 can also be returned home after 9pm if they are not being supervised by a adult.

Ch Insp Mark Harrison said: "We are responding to concerns and will be using a series of activities to interrupt anti-social and criminal activity.

"We will then be arresting those who persist in committing offences, targeting our resources so they are in the right place at the right time to make our presence felt where necessary."

Neighbourhood officers will seize alcohol and issue penalty notices for disorder where appropriate to stop incidents escalating.

The Canterbury District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, made up by the police, Canterbury City Council and other agency colleagues, is behind the move.

Doug Rattray, community safety manager for the city council, said: "We are prioritising work towards reducing violence, criminal damage and alcohol abuse."

The dispersal areas will be in force from Thursday, August 14, until November 8 in Herne Bay and January 11, 2009, in Canterbury.