A car park next to a popular nightclub has been left littered with nitrous oxide canisters, despite a Public Spaces Protection Order to combat anti-social behaviour.

The tell-tale silver canisters were discovered in Dartford’s Westgate Car Park last week, more than a year after the council pledged to crack down on street drinking, drug taking and violence.

It’s an issue that has plagued public spaces across the county, with furious homeowners complaining of drug takers “keeping them up at night”.

Pictures show hundreds of small canisters laying on the car park floor that is covered in litter.

Dartford council spokesman Oliver Bagshaw said: “Councils spend lots of time and money picking up litter and whilst we willingly do this it’s frustrating because litter is a wholly avoidable blight on our community.

“Possessing and using gas canisters is not a criminal offence but we do take litter offences very seriously and will continue to investigate and prosecute appropriately in this area.”

Nearby ATIK nightclub, in Essex Road, Dartford, doesn’t believe the canisters are anything to do with its customers but is working with police.

A spokesman from ATIK Dartford said it was a responsible retailer. They said: "We have a 100% search policy and will refuse admission to anyone found with anything we believe could be used inappropriately inside our venue.

"Littering in general is unacceptable anti-social behaviour and although we don’t believe the issue at the car park is anything to do with our customers, we are currently assisting both the police and council with information on those who are believed to be responsible.”

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