A 30-year-old man has been banned from Folkestone town centre after being issued with an anti social behaviour order.

The ASBO was imposed on Mohammed Gaparkhoev by the town's magistrates. It comes after a number of convictions for theft an applications by South East Kent police.

Under the conditions of the ASBO, Gaparkhoev is banned from entering the precinct area of Folkestone town centre, Sandgate Road, Guildhall Street, Rendezvous Street, Bouverie Place and West Terrace. He is also prohibited from visiting any of the stores signed up to the Folkestone Area Partnership Against Crime.

Town centre policeman PC John Weller said: "We work hard with Shepway District Council and the Folkestone Area Partnership Against Crime and this is another example of how, by having forged that partnership, we can tackle problems in the town centre."

He stressed: "It also sends a clear message that anti-social behaviour and crime is not acceptable.

"I am very pleased with the outcome and would like to thank all the store managers and staff who have made this ASBO possible with all their incident reports and paperwork that is necessary to achieve such a great result."