Police disperse 27 people in Thanet during bank holiday antisocial behaviour operation

The operation formed part of Kent Police’s approach to bank holiday weekends, when the force increases high-visibility patrols in coastal areas to address disorder and public nuisance incidents. Thanet experiences seasonal increases in visitor numbers during bank holidays and summer months, which authorities have linked to increases in antisocial behaviour.

How Dispersal Powers Work

Dispersal orders allow police officers and Police Community Support Officers to direct individuals or groups to leave a specified area for up to 48 hours if their presence or behaviour is likely to contribute to antisocial behaviour, crime or disorder. Those who fail to comply with a dispersal order can face arrest.

The powers cover conduct causing harassment, alarm or distress, including street drinking, groups causing intimidation, vandalism and noise nuisance. The 2014 Act provides the legal framework for these interventions.

Partnership Approach to Community Safety

Thanet District Council and Kent County Council work alongside Kent Police through Community Safety Partnerships to address antisocial behaviour using both policing powers and civil tools. These include Public Spaces Protection Orders, tenancy enforcement and youth diversion schemes.

The Government has prioritised tackling antisocial behaviour through measures such as the 2023 Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, which promotes greater use of dispersal orders and faster sanctions. Recent years have seen central government funding for hotspot patrols and safer streets projects allocated to Kent Police areas with identified antisocial behaviour issues.

Kent Police shares updates on antisocial behaviour operations in coastal towns, highlighting use of dispersal powers and partnership work with local councils and community safety units. The force has not provided specific details about the locations or circumstances of the 27 dispersals during this bank holiday operation.

Seasonal Policing Challenges

Coastal areas like Thanet face challenges during peak visitor periods, with increased footfall in town centres, seafronts and transport hubs. Police and local authorities have identified these locations as areas where antisocial behaviour incidents can increase during busy weekends.

The Thanet district has a population of roughly 142,400 residents according to Office for National Statistics estimates. Police-recorded antisocial behaviour incidents nationally have fallen from around 1.8 million in 2013 to around 1.0 million in 2023, though local variations exist across different areas.

Key Takeaways

• Kent Police dispersed 27 people in Thanet during a bank holiday antisocial behaviour operation
• Officers used powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to direct individuals to leave specified areas
• The operation was part of increased patrols during bank holiday periods in coastal areas

What This Means for Kent Residents

Thanet residents can expect continued increased police presence and more frequent use of dispersal orders in antisocial behaviour hotspots during bank holiday periods and peak tourist seasons. Those experiencing antisocial behaviour in their area should report incidents to Kent Police via 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in urgent situations. Local businesses in town centres and the hospitality sector may see reduced visible antisocial behaviour through these targeted operations, while community safety partnerships continue to work on longer-term prevention measures including youth engagement and environmental improvements.