Extra CCTV has been welcomed by people in a town plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Six new cameras will be installed by Swale council in the hopes of tackling nuisance crime.

The majority will be placed in Sittingbourne town centre, with another in Sheerness.

They have been added to the existing network of more than 300 cameras across the borough already being monitored 24/7.

Three rapid deployment cameras, which are mobile and can be installed in the event of an emergency or in locations that see a spike in crime, have also been purchased.

It comes after a dispersal order last weekend saw police move on yobs who were “verbally abusing and throwing items” at people.

Click here to read our investigation into Sittingbourne’s notorious anti-social behaviour problem.

This is the second set of cameras to be added as part of the Safer Street scheme and brings the total number up to 18.

There will be one installed at the Holy Trinity Church, two at Albany Park and two at St Michael's Church in Sittingbourne High Street, as well as one outside Sheerness swimming pool.

David Ridley has been the vicar at St Michael's Church for more than three years and in that time, believes anti-social behaviour has become worse.

He said: “It will be a real help, as the building is a bit of a black spot. People can hide out of sight.

“There have been a few unsavoury incidents in the past.

“People who go here and use the facilities will feel safer. This will hopefully be a good deterrent.”

The High Street church has previously been targeted by yobs.

In the summer of 2023, multiple windows were smashed and have been boarded up ever since.

The remaining glass windows were also damaged last year, with some being replaced with Perspex instead.

It is understood the cameras will be attached to lamposts and it is hoped one will face the car park and the other the side of the church.

The council says the new CCTV will act as a visual deterrent against anti-social behaviour.

The cameras will also help gather evidence to enable the authority and police to catch and prosecute offenders. The control room can also radio in any incidents caught on camera to first responders through the Swale Link scheme.

Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster said: “Our officers work closely with colleagues from Swale council to tackle crime and protect local people and businesses.

“CCTV is a useful tool that assists us to respond promptly to incidents. Footage can also be invaluable when an offence has been committed.

“Any additional CCTV cameras deployed in the borough should reassure communities and act as a deterrent to criminals, and those whose disorderly behaviour affects the quality of life of residents.”

Funding for the government-backed Safer Streets scheme is set to end in March but over the last two years the initiative has implemented several measures to help people feel safer.

This includes improving lighting of public spaces, rolling out street marshals to patrol the high streets and educational workshops at a secondary school focusing on subjects such as anti-social behaviour, drugs, alcohol, knife crime and vaping.

Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chairman of the community and leisure committee at Swale council, added: “Our Safer Streets project may be coming to an end soon but I know it has had a real, impactful and positive effect on the safety of these two town centres.

“It wasn’t only interventions like these cameras and the street marshals that helped keep people safe, it is the educational programmes – working with schools and teaching people to be active bystanders – that will keep having a positive effect long after this project ends. We are always looking for other funding opportunities that will allow us to continue our work to keep our residents safe.”

Cllr Richard Palmer, chairman of the community and leisure committee, said: “It is the communication between our officers and Kent Police that makes this network of cameras so effective and is why adding these additional resources, paid for by our Safer Streets campaign, will help keep people safe.”

“One of the reasons it has so helpful in stopping crime and making sure people get the help they need is because the control room shows first responders live footage from the cameras, allowing them to respond immediately once they arrive at the scene.”