Police officers in Tonbridge and Malling are the first in the county to use tough new powers designed to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Officers visited seven homes in East Malling on Thursday, October 8 to issue civil injunction warning letters to youngsters in the presence of parents or guardians.

The letters, introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, warn offenders aged 14-17 against behaving anti-socially and carrying items that are likely to cause damage or injury.

These warnings are the first stage of civil injunction procedures that police and other agencies can now use.

If the warnings are ignored a full civil court Injunction can be applied for. If this is granted offenders could receive a supervision or detention order for up to three months if breached.

The enforcement has come following a joint operation between Kent Police and other groups, including Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Circle Russet Housing.

Sergeant Ash Boxall, said: ‘My officers have worked hard over several months gathering evidence in order to use these new powers.

"I would like to thank our partner agencies for their support and in particular members of the local community who came forward as witnesses.

"We will continue to patrol the area in East Malling and will monitor the activity of those identified for the next twelve months.

"Kent Police will not tolerate such nuisance and annoyance which has detrimental effect of others and will seek use any necessary power available to them."