Two Medway men have been issued with Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), as police continue to tackle nuisance crime in Chatham Town Centre.

The pair are now banned from a specific area of Chatham and risk arrest if caught acting in way which is likely to cause people alarm, harassment or distress.

Both were issued their ASBOs by Medway magistrates last month.

Andrew Giles, 41, of no fixed address, is banned from entering the area bordered by Union Street, Best Street, St John’s Hawkins Flyover, Globe Lane, Slicketts Hill, Whiffin’s Avenue, Rope Walk, and Cross Street, Chatham. Railway Street is also off limits.

Homeless Larry Smith, 44 is banned from Chatham High Street, from the junction of Railway Street and Military Road to the junction with Union Street plus Meeting House Lane, Solomons Road, Batchelor Street and Cambridge Terrace.

The decision has been welcomed by people in the area. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s about time something was done to stop them sitting in public, swearing, urinating and making a nuisance of themselves.”

Jackie Lineham , an anti-social behaviour officer for Kent Police, said: “We want to ensure visitors to Chatham Town Centre are able to shop and socialise in an environment where they feel safe.

“This effort is about enforcing acceptable levels of behaviour and taking action against the minority of people who are intent on intimidating or harassing others.

“I would like to ask anyone who sees these men breaching the conditions of their orders to contact officers at Medway police station.”

Chief Inspector Des Keers added: “I am confident that the granting of these ASBOs enforces Kent Police’s message that we will use all the powers available to us to curb anti-social and unruly behaviour.”

Both orders will run for two years.

n If you see Giles or Smith breaching the terms of their ASBOs, contact officers at Medway police station on 01634 792342.