There will be an increase in police patrols in a town centre following an increase in thefts, vehicle crimes and anti-social behaviour.

Officers are being deployed across Sittingbourne this weekend, where a 48-hour dispersal order will be in place.

The power, under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014, will start from 4pm today and run until 8pm tomorrow.

Whilst in force, the dispersal orders allow officers to stop anyone involved in anti-social behaviour and move them on from the area and seize vehicles. People who ignore instructions to leave can be arrested.

Patrolling officers will be seen in public spaces throughout the town and its retail parks to deter crimes, with a focus on thefts, vehicle crimes, disturbances, and other anti-social activities.

Anti-social behaviour inspector, Vanessa Foster, of Kent Police’s Swale Community Safety Unit, said: "We take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and residents shouldn’t have to put up with it.

"Additional patrols will be actively seeking to reduce any incidents of anti-social behaviour and will issue fines, make arrests, and charge offenders as necessary.

"I urge people to continue reporting incidents to us as they see it happen. The information is invaluable in ensuring any issues can be policed effectively."

The police action has comes almost two weeks after three people had their purses stolen after being targeted by two women in the town's charity shops.

The victims were targeted in separate incidents at two stores in The Forum Shopping Centre, Roman Square, and also in the High Street.

At the end of February an increase in reports of "dangerous driving" also resulted in a dispersal order being put in place across Swale.

There was also a CCTV crackdown at the town's Morrisons after staff and customers have reportedly been targeted by the gang of youths.

In January, a worried mum also warned people to be on their guard after her son was followed and chased by men wearing ski masks who threatened them with knives.

The pupils from Fulston Manor School pupils were allegedly stalked into McDonald's in Mill Way, Sittingbourne, before being chased when they left towards the railway station.

Then in February a terrified shop assistant reportedly wrenched a knife out of a schoolboy's hands as he held it to his face shouting "I'll do you".

The incident is reported to have happened after a staff member at East Street News in Sittingbourne told two youngsters to leave the store, after identifying them as troublemakers.

Statistics show knife crime in Kent has increased threefold over the past decade.