Urgent action is required to combat street drinkers who have made a town centre feel “unsafe” and “intimidating”.

That’s the view of a group of councillors who have written an open letter to Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott outlining their concerns about Sittingbourne.

Cllr Ashley Wise (Lab) wrote: “Unfortunately not a day goes by without incidents of anti-social behaviour around Sittingbourne High Street and East Street as well as more incidents to note around Milton High Street.

“Across all of these locations street drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour is a key feature making people feel intimidated and unsafe and affecting trade for local businesses.

"The impression it gives to visitors is not a good one, at a time when Swale council is working hard to invest in, and promote, the heritage and leisure opportunities in Sittingbourne and Milton."

The letter, signed by nine Labour members and one from the Sittingbourne Independent Alliance, added that people who volunteer with clubs and organisations "to enhance pride in our towns" were feeling "increasingly disheartened by anti-social behaviour going unchallenged on our streets".

It also called on Mr Scott to work more closely with the council and to deploy more police to patrol the town.

Commenting on the reasons for writing to the crime commissioner, Cllr Wise said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour is something which has been high on my agenda - particularly in the town centre.

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

"This is mainly to do with adult men who are hanging around the town centre.

"There are also some rough sleepers in the area who aren't actually homeless."

Sittingbourne town centre is covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order which means anyone drinking alcohol and suspected of causing trouble could have it taken away, be fined or face arrest.

Despite this, traders and shoppers had still reported problems.

“They [traders] keep coming to us saying customers have to walk through crowds of men drinking and people arguing, spitting and abusing," Cllr Wise added.

“People are telling me the high street is an intimidating place to go to at any time of the day and that shouldn’t be the case, so the police need to keep up their side of the bargain.”

With the policing element of council tax having risen, people were asking what they get for their money, he added.

Traders have previously said they fear people will be put off visiting shops following several incidents of anti-social behaviour – including shoplifting, assault and smashed windows.

In response, Mr Scott said more officers would be deployed.

He explained: “Thanks to the investment I have made, supported by the government, the force has more police than ever before.

“Kent Police is in the process of rolling out a new neighbourhood policing model which will see these officers deployed on the beat to local communities and schools - including in Sittingbourne – and the town is already benefiting from this.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour is a joint responsibility between the police, local authorities and others, so I am happy to work constructively with anybody who wishes to address it.

“I do provide the Swale Community Safety Partnership with a Crime Reduction Grant to deal with such matters.”