Councillors are hoping to stop a rise in street violence and anti-social behaviour in Dartford by imposing a new public space protection order (PSPO).

The order would give police and council officers the power to confiscate alcohol and so-called legal highs and prevent people from gathering for car meetings within the designated zone, which includes parts of the town centre, Central Park and the area around the War Memorial.

It would also include Westgate Car Park, which has become a hot-spot for anti-social activity.

A report that went before Dartford council’s cabinet advisory panel on Monday night included a list of incidents recorded at the car park between July 17 and October 2 last year, documenting nine fights and seven instances concerning drug taking and dealing.

In one case, on September 17, a “large fight in car park with baseball bats being used” was reported, while the previous month security staff from nearby Air & Breathe nightclub reported more than 20 people fighting on August 14 and two men with a knife and a cosh in the car park on August 6.

An official proposal for the PSPO, which is due to be discussed by Dartford’s cabinet tonight (Thursday) states: “The community safety unit (CSU) has become aware of anti-social behaviour and the anti-social use of vehicles within Dartford town centre. CCTV footage shows large groups of young people gathering in anti-social behaviour which has been particularly prevalent in Westgate Car Park.

“Typically, the behaviour manifests itself in the taking of intoxicating substances, which may or may not be prohibited. In many instances, the ingestion or supply of the substances takes place within or from vehicles.

“Both evidence and intelligence suggests that a number of the perpetrators are not resident within the borough but travel to Dartford from neighbouring London boroughs once their night clubs have closed.

“This behaviour has led to a concerning rise in the level of street violence in the vicinity.”

If the proposal is approved, the scheme will then go out to public consultation and will also need to be approved by the police.

Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con), leader of Dartford council, stressed the proposed order was designed to tackle anti-social behaviour. He said: “We’ve held back because we wanted to see what other councils did. Gravesend got into some difficulties because their PSPO was considered to be quite draconian.

“It was portrayed in the media as if you couldn’t be seen sitting down in the street. We don’t want the council to be looking over everyone’s shoulder.”

He said many people were concerned with activity around the war memorial and hoped the order could instil a greater respect.

“Unfortunately it’s become a place where people think it’s OK to drink alcohol,” he said. “We don’t want people lounging around the war memorial – it’s quite disrespectful.”