Police have stepped up late night patrols in the city centre following the arrival of thousands of new students in Canterbury.

They are urging the young revellers to "know their limits" and think about the impact drink-fuelled antics can have on residents.

A late night police hub has also been set up in St George's Street manned by officers and other agencies.

It follows the start of Freshers' Week when new students are encouraged to party the night away well into the early hours.

An estimated 10,000 are said to have arrived in the city to begin their university courses and for many, it is their first time away from home.

Sergeant Lee Thompson of Canterbury Community Safety Unit said high visibility patrols have been increased in key locations and times until the end of September.

He added: "Our message for students is, know your limits but beware of the dangers of drinking to excess and think about the impact drink-fuelled antics can have on residents."

He also advised students to look out for each other, not to leave mobile phones and bags unattended and avoid walking alone late at night.

He added: "We are keen that their transition into university life is trouble-free.

"Officers have been talking to students about knowing their limits and how to stay safe when they are potentially at their most vulnerable."

The late night hub was set up by Canterbury Community Safety Partnership on Wednesday and will also be in place tonight until the early hours and on Wednesday, September 28 and Friday, September 30.

It is being manned by police officers and special constables as well as representatives from the city council, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Canterbury Street Pastors, the Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Charity and the Canterbury Street Marshal Scheme.

They will be handing out safety information including a Safe Canterbury map, which highlights routes in the city that are well-lit and covered by CCTV.

Sergeant Thompson added: "The Community Safety Partnership has been working with the universities and Canterbury College to create the map.

"It highlights some of the safer routes home from the city centre as well as taxi ranks, bus stops for the all-night uni Bus, areas that are covered by the Street Marshal Scheme and where the street pastors patrol. Students can also download the map onto their phones from canterburycsp.org.uk."