E-scooters are being banned from pedestrianised areas of a town centre as part of a clampdown on anti-social behaviour.

The ruling is part of a renewed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Dartford aimed at protecting people and businesses.

Anyone caught riding an e-scooter in High Street, Market Place or Lowfield Street, up to the junction with Market Street, risks a maximum £100 fixed penalty notice.

Breaching a PSPO is considered a criminal offence and can carry a further penalty if the matter goes to court.

Dartford first made a town centre PSPO in 2017 to address various forms of anti-social behaviour.

The order continues to penalise behaviours such as littering, urinating or defecating (unless in a toilet facility); swearing, shouting or acting in a threatening manner; and acting in a manner that is causing or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

It also bans consumption of alcohol, excluding licensed premises, and intoxicating substances within the restricted areas.

Leader of the council Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con) said: “We’re not the kind of council to see easy pickings in fines.

“This PSPO is about responding to the things people tell us they care about, that make our town centre safer and better for everyone.

“E-scooters are a hazard for pedestrians. They might have their benefits elsewhere, but we need to think about the dangers they pose to vulnerable people who have sight or mobility issues.

“We want to keep our town centre a safe place where businesses can thrive and people can enjoy themselves, and this renewed PSPO is another step towards preserving that environment.”