One teenager was arrested and three others told to leave town after a dispersal order was brought in to target anti-social behaviour.

The order was put in place at Sittingbourne Retail Park over the weekend after businesses and residents raised concerns about the conduct of some visitors.

It came after a McDonald’s manager was “headbutted” and another member of staff “punched” the weekend before.

A 15-year-old was arrested following that attack. He has since been bailed.

The weekend’s dispersal order ran between 5pm on Friday, November 29 and 5pm on Sunday, December 1.

It gave officers additional powers to move on anyone causing a nuisance and if necessary arrest those who returned to the area.

During the enforcement, an 18-year-old woman from Chatham was arrested after she was suspected of stealing £400 of goods from Marks and Spencer Foodhall.

She was later charged with theft and has been bailed to a hearing at Medway Magistrates' Court on Friday, December 20.

Several youths were spoken to about their behaviour with three told to leave the area immediately.

Their parents will be contacted and they were warned that if they returned within 48 hours they risked being arrested.

Four bicycles were confiscated as they were being ridden in a way that put pedestrians in danger.

Polie patrols also dispersed a large group of motorists who had gathered in the car park and were causing a hazard to other road users.

Chief Inspector Allen Searle said the force was aware of people’s concerns surrounding disorder in the town centre and officers were “determined to tackle these incidents” including talking with parents of young people who are involved with crime.

He said: “I would encourage anyone with concerns about crime or nuisance behaviour to speak to our visible patrols who are out and about in the town or report the issue to us online.

“This will allow us to effectively deploy our resources to the relevant locations at the right time of the day, and to target those who cause the most harm to our community.”

Incidents of anti-social behaviour can be reported via the police website.