A dispersal order has been put in place in a riverside town to tackle anti-social behaviour.

It will cover areas around Gravesend Promenade and has been put in place ahead of this weekend’s Gravesham Riverside Festival.

Enforcement started at midday yesterday (29 June) and will run until midday on MondayJuly 3.

The order, which includes Milton Place, Ordnance Road, Canal Road and Canal Basin, has been brought in to tie in with the weekend’s Riverside Festival which will see a headline set from ‘90s pop band Dodgy.

The dispersal order gives officers additional powers to move on anyone causing a nuisance and, if necessary, arrest those who return to the area once dispersed.

Inspector James Beautridge, from Gravesend’s community safety unit, said: “With the Riverside Festival this weekend, we are committed to ensuring residents and visitors safely enjoy the event without being disturbed by a small minority of people committing anti-social behaviour or disorder.

“Officers will be patrolling the area and anyone found causing a nuisance will be required to leave. Any that chose to return once dispersed can expect to be detained.”

It comes after a teenager was charged following a large disturbance in Gordon Promenade East, off Canal Road, last Friday (June 21) which left two people with slash wounds.

Anybody who wishes to report instances of anti-social behaviour should report it online via the Kent Police website. If a crime is in progress, please don’t hesitate to call 999.