Residents of one Kent town braved the freezing temperatures to learn about crime prevention.

The Community Safety Awareness Day was held at One Bell Corner on Dartford High Street yesterday.

Dartford council’s Community Safety Unit were on hand to inform the community about crime prevention, scam awareness and how to thwart pickpocketers.

The team were giving away anti-crime products like purse chains and security wallets, as well as keyrings and leaflets with more information.

It snowed in Dartford on the day, but it didn't discourage the team or residents.

This comes after the council launched a new Public Spaces Protection Order to tackle street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

The PSPO covers the town centre’s streets, car parks, parks, recreation grounds and children’s play areas and will address unacceptable behaviour in Dartford.

Breaching the PSPO could incur a fine of £100, or lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Kent Police, Police Community Support Officers and Local Authority Officers will enforce the order.

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite, who was at the event, said: “Dartford Town Centre remains a very safe place to live, work and visit, and we want to keep it that way.

“The PSPO gives us some additional powers to tackle behaviours that are inconsiderate and offensive to decent people who simply want to enjoy our town.

“The Community Safety Awareness Day was an invaluable opportunity for residents to engage with our Community Safety Unit and learn how we can all help to prevent crime in our community.”

Kent Police, North Kent Crime Prevention Panel, Neighbourhood Watch and a Kent County Council Community Warden attended the event.