Police officers have been given additional powers to disperse trouble-makers in Dover town centre.

The town centre has become a designated dispersal area as part of a temporary measure to give police more authority to deal with anti-social behaviour.

The decision to apply for the order was made by Kent Police in partnership with Dover District Council after an increase in reports from the public about anti-social behaviour, including nuisance youths around the Charlton shopping centre.

There were also reports of disturbances from drinkers around Market Square and the High Street.

Insp Ian Swallow said: “The dispersal zone gives the police a discretionary power to move trouble-makers on, which is something we cannot do otherwise unless they are committing specific offences.

“It is an extra tool to help us deal with a minority of people who persist in causing a nuisance and spoiling the quality of life for people in Dover.”

The dispersal area includes Dover Priory railway station and Priory Road, High Street, Bridge Street, Charlton Green, Maison Dieu Road, Castle Hill Road, Marine Parade, Waterloo Crescent and Townwall Street.

The initiative, which started this week and will run until next April, will give uniformed officers including police community support officers added powers to disperse those groups who congregate in the town centre causing intimidation, alarm or distress.

This will also include the power to take young people under the age of 16 who are not accompanied by a responsible adult back to their homes.