Security has been stepped up near a supermarket on a luxury housing development because of threats from unruly gangs of youths converging on the area at weekends.

They are attracted to the concrete forefront of the Co-op store at Rochester Riverside where they meet up in large numbers to skateboard and drink alcohol.

Their presence near the railway station's multi-storey car park has prompted bosses at the newly-opened shop to ramp up safety measures for staff and customers.

A security guard has been hired to deter anti-social behaviour and, when safety concerns have heightened, it has on occasions closed earlier.

A Co-op spokesman said: “Safety and security is always a number one priority. There has been a spate of anti-social behaviour in the area over recent weeks.

"Abuse and anti-social behaviour towards shopworkers should not be part of the job, and front-line retail workers should be able to go about their work and serve the community free from fear. "The store uses a range of measures to deter and prevent criminal behaviour.”

Earlier, Cllr Alex Paterson (Lab), who represents the town, said visitors felt intimidated by the anti-social behaviour and some older people and families with young children were being put off using facilities at Rochester Riverside.

On a visit to the area near the multi-storey he had spotted broken bottles, "fresh human waste" and said it stank of "stale urine".

He said: "As well as being completely unacceptable behaviour, it is a disgusting welcome for visitors to Rochester.

"I will of course be raising this issue with the police but a more effective method would be for parents to know and care where their children are - rather than shrugging their shoulders or turning a blind eye."

The Co-op uses a range of security measures including the latest CCTV, communication headsets for all frontline shopworkers, guarding, Smartwater, and body-worn cameras which can record real time audio and visual footage at the touch of a button.