Police who pound the beat in the centre of Chatham are reminding people they face punishment if caught drinking alcohol in the town centre.

The no drinking zone was introduced in January 2007, and gives neighbourhood officers, as well as council wardens the power to remove alcohol from anyone seeing drinking it in the banned areas.

Officers have found that some people they have talked to about the alcohol control zone, were unaware there was one in place.

Michael Freed, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for the town centre, said:“The boundaries are clear and we want to remind people the control zone exists.

“If people fail to stop drinking within the zone they face a fine of £50 or possible arrest.

“The zone covers the boundaries of the Great Lines from Luton arches, up to Bryant Street flats, Victoria gardens, Jackson's field and through Chatham High Street into Rochester High Street.

“We work in partnership with Medway council and the local residents and have been enforcing the zone for two years and in that time reported incidents of anti-social behaviour have fallen significantly.”