Marshals are once again patrolling town centres over the school holidays to deter troublemakers.

They started pounding the pavements in Sheerness and Sittingbourne during afternoons and evenings last Monday (July 22).

Wearing body cameras, they are connected to the Swale Link radio system and Swale council’s CCTV centre and work closely with the police.

An extra marshal has been deployed to help cover Sheerness.

It is part of the council’s Safer Streets project, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce violence against women and girls.

A council spokesman said the initiative had resulted in anti-social behaviour being prevented and interventions such as tracking down people suspected of vandalising toilets at Beachfields and administering life-saving first aid.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the council’s Community and Leisure Committee, said: “The Safer Streets project is delivering measures that are already having a positive impact on the safety of these two town centres.

“The marshals in particular have had a great track record so far, having received positive feedback from both the public and the police.

“Their ability to work closely with the police and our CCTV team has been crucial to their success, having that support enables them to combat anti-social behaviour confidently, knowing they will receive back up when they need it.

“I am looking forward to seeing the marshals back out in our high streets, helping people feel safer in the towns we cherish.”

Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chair of the Community and Leisure Committee, said: “Our Safer Streets campaign is trying to use the funds from the government in the best way possible, making sure every penny goes towards measures to help our communities.

“Of course, we would have loved to implement these measures across the whole borough, but the funding guidelines from central government meant we needed to be very targeted with our approach.

“We want our town centres to be a safer place for residents and visitors alike and hope these marshals’ presence will make a positive step towards this goal.”