Police in one of the worst-hit areas for Covid-19 will be patrolling a town this weekend to stop people causing trouble despite lockdown being in place.

A dispersal order is in force for 48 hours in Ramsgate town centre, which started at 6pm yesterday, giving officers extra powers to move troublemakers on.

Thanet Community Safety Unit and the Problem Solving Task Force will be patrolling throughout the weekend, targeting anyone causing anti-social behaviour.

The move comes as the infection rate for Thanet rises to 521 weekly cases for every 100,000 people – almost double the national average of 266.

In Ramsgate Harbour ward, where officers will be on patrol, the rate is 410, and in nearby areas Ellington and Nethercourt, 644 and 539 respectively.

The town centre has been suffering problems with anti-social behaviour for some time and earlier this year traders warned it was becoming a 'no-go' zone due to a gang of intimidating youths.

They called for extra patrols in the town.

Despite new lockdown restrictions being in place since November 5, stopping people from meeting up, town residents have still been reporting problems with anti-social behaviour, which has led to the latest dispersal order being implemented.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet