A series of arrests have been made by police tackling anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime in Ramsgate.

It follows a four-day operation in which officers targeted areas of suspected criminal activity, both during the day and at night, resulting in four people being taken into custody.

Police were responding to reports by the public and businesses of nuisance behaviour in the town centre, harbour and residential areas.

On October 21, officers seized quantities of amphetamine and cannabis from a man in Clements Road. Enquiries remain ongoing into the seizure. A number of people and vehicles were also stopped on the day, with one vehicle seized due to being uninsured.

While on duty in the Wellington Crescent area on November 17, officers arrested a 42-year-old man from Ramsgate after they were made aware that damage had been caused to a vehicle nearby. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Following recent reports of shoplifting in stores in the town centre, officers worked with staff to identify a suspect.

Robert Muttock, 29, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged the same day with five counts of theft. He appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on November 18 where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12-month community order and must also pay compensation to the affected businesses.

"Our officers will be out and about again, both in uniform and plain clothes, to respond to crime and disorder..."

Also on November 18, a moped was seized after PCSOs spotted the abandoned uninsured vehicle in Hardres Street.

The following day, two arrests were made after officers stopped a car in Cavendish Street and seized cannabis, mobile phones and weighing scales.

A 22-year-old man from Margate and an 18-year-old woman from Ramsgate were both arrested on suspicion of being concerned in supplying drugs. They have been released on bail pending further investigation.

On the same day, an e scooter was also seized after officers saw it being ridden in King Street without insurance.

Following the operation Police Sgt Paul Robson from the Thanet Community Safety Unit said: "The work carried out over the four days not only saw people arrested but it gave officers the opportunity to gather information on suspected drug dealers, other criminals and those thought to be causing anti-social behaviour.

"This will assist us in future warrants and disruption to criminal activity and will help to ensure communities within Ramsgate stay safe.

"We hope to build on the success of these patrols during the winter months and our officers will be out and about again, both in uniform and plain clothes, to respond to crime and disorder.

"We rely on residents to be our eyes and ears in their own streets and it’s important incidents of anti-social behaviour or suspected drug-dealing are reported to us as it will help us to build up strong cases against those responsible for any issues which are having an impact on others."