FOUR female University of Kent students are the first undergraduates in the district to become subjects of an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement for late-night noise and rowdiness.

The four girls persisted in holding loud parties and returning noisily from the pub to their student house in a quiet residential road off St Dunstan’s, Canterbury, despite warnings from the university and the Public Safety Unit (PSU).

Now they have to bring their behaviour in line with the strict conditions of the agreement, which have not been disclosed, or risk further action which could include an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

The girls first came to the notice of the PSU three months ago and were warned twice by the unit in addition to interventions by the university. But their persistent behaviour resulted in the contract being entered into two weeks ago.

Since signing up to it, they have abided by the conditions of the agreement.

PSU manager Mark Richardson stressed that out of 3,000 calls to the unit from around the district, only 30 have related to students.

He said: "Students do have a good record in Canterbury. Generally they are an asset to the city. Usually student complaints are sorted out by a knock on the door. These four had one too many parties and didn’t heed the warnings.

"The first complaint was about three months ago, about parties and noise going to and from the pub. Several neighbours had been in contact.

"These students are the first to go to a contract. That’s a testament to student behaviour generally, considering the number. But it should serve as a warning."

Neighbours of students elsewhere in the city applauded the use of the contract and said that they hoped it would put out a stern message to other students guilty of similar behaviour.

Janet Dey, one of only seven residential homeowners left in Kemsing Gardens among a sea of student properties, complained: "They come to live amongst us but we feel like we have to live amongst them.

"I have known people who have suffered terribly and I have encountered noise problems in the past."

A University of Kent spokesman said: "Anti-social behaviour by any of our students is not acceptable. We take any complaint we receive about student conduct very seriously and will enforce our disciplinary procedures when appropriate.

"We also have a clearly defined complaints procedure which anyone who makes a complaint to the university about student behaviour is urged to follow. We work closely with the relevant agencies to tackle any problems."