by Jenni Horn

jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

It was early doors for drinkers in Rochester after trouble erupted in the High Street on Sunday.

Police asked pubs to close early after anti-social behaviour marred the Bank Holiday weekend.

About 80,000 people descended upon Rochester for the annual Sweeps Festival celebrations.

While most enjoyed the sunshine, music and Morris dancing, for others it was an occasion to get drunk and cause trouble.

Police made 13 arrests over the three days - five people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly and issued with £80 fines, four people were arrested for affray; two were given police cautions, one was released on bail and one was charged and released on bail. Three people were arrested for actual bodily hard. Two were charged and released on bail and one was released without charge. One person was arrested for grievous bodily harm. They have been released on bail.

After a number of incidents, officers visited pubs on Sunday evening and requested they shut their doors at 10.30pm to help deal with the huge numbers of revellers.

One landlord who did not want to be named, said: "Officers came in about 10pm asked if we could shut at 10.30pm because there had been a some trouble up the high street. We usually would have stayed open until midnight.

"The police wanted all the pubs to shut at the same time because if you just shut some of the pubs which have experienced trouble, you are just dispersing it elsewhere.

"I think the problems have occurred because of the Bank Holiday weekend, it’s not necessarily because of the Sweeps Festival."

A spokesman for Medway Police has insisted any anti-social behaviour was dealt with swiftly.

A spokesman said: "Between May 2 and May 4 there were 13 arrests in the area around Rochester High Street. Not all of these may be attributed to the Sweeps Festival.

"The festival was a success for Medway and there were few incidents. Those, which were brought to the attention of officers, were dealt with swiftly and effectively.
Kent Police asked the local pubs and bars to close at 10.30 on Sunday to help with the safe dispersal of the large number of people around the Rochester High Street area.

"All of the licensees were cooperative with this request and the day ended safely."