Police have been cracking down on anti-social behaviour round the train station in Deal.

A dispersal zone was set up from 9.15pm on Saturday until 8am on Monday.

This gave officers the power to move on groups of two or more people and take anyone under 16 back to their parents or guardians, if they are out on the streets between 9pm and 6am without an adult.

Over the weekend, dispersal notices were issued to four youths following reports of anti-social behaviour at the train station on Saturday night.

Insp Guy Thompson said: “The creation and enforcement of dispersal zones has proved to be an effective way to tackle anti-social behaviour across the district and we will continue to take such action against people involved in anti-social behaviour.

“Such behaviour ruins the quality of lives for residents in Deal and also has negative impacts on businesses and those hoping to serve the community.”

The zone was set up for most of Deal town centre, from the railway line eastwards. During the previous weekend, a dispersal zone was set up for 48 hours from Friday, January 15.

Two teenagers were charged with public order offences and two young people were also given a notice to disperse.

Another two youths, aged 15, were taken home to parents.