Two teenagers have been charged with public order offences following a dispersal zone being set up in Deal town centre over the weekend.

This gives officers extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and was implemented after reports of young people causing harassment, alarm and distress to the public on a number of occasions since December 20.

As a result of the dispersal area, two 14-year-olds were charged on Friday with public order offences.

Two 15-year-olds were also given a notice to disperse over the weekend and two youths aged 15 were taken home to parents.

Inspector Guy Thompson said: “There is a small group of young people in Deal who are involved in this anti-social behaviour. We have, and continue to take positive action where they are affecting the quality of life for residents, businesses and those providing a service to the people of Deal.”

The dispersal lasted 48 hours from 5pm on Friday, January 15, and covered most of the town centre from the railway line eastwards.

Any person over 10 years of age can be directed to leave the locality and not return for a stated period of time if an officer or PCSO has reasonable grounds to suspect their behaviour has contributed, or is likely to contribute, to the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

“It is an offence to fail to leave when directed, without a reasonable excuse.”

A breach of this order can result in a fine or a prison sentence up to a maximum of three months.