A senior police officer says things are improving in a crime and disorder-ridden town centre as calls are made for more to be done.

For months, residents and businesses in Sittingbourne have reported problems, saying the area is unsafe and intimidating.

Last week, several borough councillors wrote to crime commissioner Matthew Scott to call for more police support.

On Wednesday, north Kent divisional commander Chief Supt Shaun White visited for a walk about the High Street.

Accompanied by KentOnline he said there has been major reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour because of the force’s neighbourhood policing plan.

But councillors and businesses feel more needs to be done.

Labour’s Cllr Ashley Wise wrote the open letter to Mr Scott asking for more police on the streets.

It was signed by nine Labour members and one from the Sittingbourne Independent Alliance.

Cllr Wise said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour is something which has been high on my agenda – particularly in the town centre.

“Street drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour is a key feature, making people feel intimidated and unsafe, and affecting trade for local businesses.

“People are coming to us saying customers have to walk through crowds of men drinking and people arguing, spitting and abusing.

“A lot of what we see in the high street doesn't actually involve kids, although of course there are issues there.”

Mr White explained: “The [neighbourhood policing] plan is at the core of what we do and is about having the right cops in the right areas at the right times.

“Communities are at the centre of everything we do, including vulnerable people, and we want to make sure Kent is one of the safest counties in the UK.

“We have had an uplift in local officers which people will see at times when they are needed based on intelligence-based policing.

“We have seized various items including bicycles and e-scooters and engaged with lots of young people and directed more than 40 individuals to leave the High Street.

“As part of our ongoing work in Sittingbourne we have increased patrols and since June we have implemented 19 dispersal orders and made a number of arrests.

“There were multiple charges for offences in June and July including 73 charges for shoplifting across Swale, as well as cautions and other action where appropriate.”

On the same day as Mr White’s visit, business owners echoed the councillors’ concerns, saying problems remain.

Vishal Wadhwa, who owns Trade Counter in what used to be Burtons, has spent £150 on body cameras to record abuse he and staff receive.

He has also taken to putting up pictures of youngsters has alleges have stolen from his shop.

The 42-year-old says the anti-social behaviour is “awful” and it’s easier to count “the days where nothing happens” due to the almost daily attacks.

He said: “I introduced the body cams as another business owner told us a good way of warding off anti-social behaviour was to film them which often scares them off.

“I don’t feel happy having to do this and, sadly, I have to wear these uncomfortable devices to protect my shop.

“We have put notices in our windows so people know we are recording on the shop floor.

“It’s for customer safety as well as a lady was knocked over by kids who were running out of my store after stealing products. We give any footage of people who steal to the police.”

Mr Vishal is also considering paying for security during the upcoming Christmas period which he estimates will set him back £1,800.

This comes as other high street business owners told KentOnline in July that they were concerned about rise in high street anti-social behaviour.

Meanwhile, the poor behaviour of teenagers at KFC saw the store enforce an over-18 policy at peak times during weekends.

A high street newsagent, who did not want their business named through fear of repercussions, agreed with Mr White that “things were better” compared to last year.

But he still wants to see “tougher policing”, saying: “There are prolific shoplifters that everyone knows in the area who seem to get away with stealing all the time.

“While it has got better it’s still intimidating for older people who want to use the high street and feel safe.

“For us, it’s a matter of our safety, we never know what some of the people who try and steal from us are carrying. Why should I have to put myself at risk?”

Mr White was invited to speak with these business owners on camera, but declined.

He said he was “happy to talk to them at any time through the correct channels”.