Gangs hanging around one of the town’s most famous landmarks will be moved on in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

People who are fed up with being intimidated by noisy groups, who hang around the clock tower in Milton Road, Gravesend, and leave litter have complained to police.

Now officers have taken action and in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour in the town, a dispersal zone will be rolled out across part of Gravesend next month.

If people refuse to leave, they face a fine of up to £2,500 or even jail.

The order will give police more powers to deal with groups of people drinking alcohol and causing a nuisance near the clock tower.

Running for three months from October 1 to January 2, it has been jointly authorised by Kent Police and Gravesham council.

Chris Carter, Inspector of Gravesham’s Community Safety Unit, said: “Kent Police has received a number of calls from members of the public and businesses in this area concerned about anti-social behaviour, noise and litter left by groups that tend to congregate near the clock tower.

“These groups of people can at times be intimidating, especially late at night, and this order, combined with other powers available to us, such as alcohol exclusion zones in the town centre, will allow us to deal effectively with this problem.

“The message is quite simple: Kent Police does not and will not tolerate groups causing anti-social behaviour and intimidating law-abiding members of the public.”

Any group of two or more people found causing, or likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress can be moved.

Young people under 16 not accompanied by a responsible adult between 9pm and 6am can be taken back to their home.

Gravesham council leader John Burden said: “The council supports the introduction of a dispersal area as one of the ways to tackle a growing problem in this part of town.

"These areas have proved to be highly effective in the past and the council will play its part to ensure that this measure is a success.

“We welcome the initiative by Kent Police and we are sure this will have the backing of the entire community there.”