Boy racers, river swimmers and fishermen are among those in the council’s crosshairs as rules on anti-social behaviour are tightened.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) formerly gave out fines of £80, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days, for violation of their Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

But the council will now dish out £100 fines, with no reduction for early payment – in line with many other Kent councils.

The local authority has had a PSPO in force since 2017, which was updated in 2020.

The current version is aimed mainly at dog owners – forcing them to clean up their pets’ mess, keep dogs out of council-owned children’s parks, and prohibits people from having more than six dogs with them at a time.

The newest iteration – to take effect from April – includes the same rules, as well as updated ones both for the whole borough and specific areas such as Holborough Lakes in Snodland.

The new PSPO pays particular attention to those taking part in “car cruising activities” – making driving in convoys, excessive use of car horns, engine revving, obstructing the road or playing music loud to cause a nuisance punishable by the council.

TMBC’s new set of rules also makes it punishable with a fine to use a car on any public open space – such as the green of parks.

The council cites Blue Bell Hill car park as a problem area for such “car cruising activities” – which have led to it being closed at weekends.

The local authority’s report say they’ve received numerous emails from residents around Leybourne and Larkfield showing large vehicle meets causing nuisance.

Cllr Anita Oakley (Lib Dem), who represents Larkfield, told the cabinet she supports the new PSPO rules, as “we suffer badly in Larkfield with car meetings”.

Though she noted that: “The noise nuisance associated with this activity is far reaching,” saying she had heard complaints from residents of Snodland and Burham as well.

Dartford council has cracked down on boy racers near Greenhithe in the summer – issuing 18 fines for nuisance driving in three days.

The new rules also prohibit fishing, swimming, or bathing in a large swathe of the River Medway which runs through the town.

Prospective bathers, swimmers or boaters will also now require explicit written permission from the council to partake in such activities at Holborough Lakes in Snodland.

TMBC’s cabinet voted to approve the new PSPO at a meeting yesterday.

The new rules will go to a public consultation allowing residents to give their views.

Public space orders can apply to all areas the public has reasonable or implied access to even if they are privately owned.

Supermarket car parks, for example, are included. However, fines cannot be issued to those under 16.

The current rules outlaw the use of barbecues in the borough’s parks, and unauthorised swimming or boating at Leybourne Lakes.

The use of skateboards or other “wheeled vehicles” is banned from the Tonbridge Memorial Gardens to ensure the dignity of the memorial to the fallen from two world wars.

Drinking alcohol is not banned outright in the borough’s parks.

But refusing to stop drinking when asked to do so by a police officer or a council official is and will be punishable.