Troublemakers in Margate town centre will be dealt with more easily after a dispersal order began on Saturday.

The Designated Dispersal Area has been put in place for six months to give police more powers to help deal with anti-social behaviour.

Uniformed officers, including PCSOs, will have added powers to disperse groups congregating in the designated area causing intimidation, alarm or distress.

And anyone failing to comply with the order could face a fine or up to three months in prison.

The aim of the dispersal order, which runs until Thursday, July 31, is to help officers tackle the small but persistent minority of people who cause trouble and spoil the peace and enjoyment for everybody else.

The dispersal area covers the High Street, Mill Lane multi-storey car park, Herbert Place, The Centre, Hawley Square, Churchfield Place, Cecil Street and Queen Street.

The decision to apply for a Dispersal Area was made by Kent Police in partnership with Thanet District Council and Margate Task Force.

It follows an increasing number of reports of anti-social behaviour including youths threatening violence, being verbally abusive, intimidating the public and shop workers, shouting and swearing, criminal damage, assaults and drug activity.

Thanet’s district commander, chief inspector Nick Gossett, said: “This gives the police a discretionary power to move trouble-makers on, which is something we can’t otherwise do unless they are committing specific offences.

“It’s an extra tool to help us deal with the minority of people who persist in causing a nuisance and spoiling the enjoyment for
others.

“Experience has shown that dispersal areas can be an effective way of reducing anti-social behaviour and the results will be closely monitored by the Community Safety Unit.”