Kent Police and Dover District Council have been tackling drink-related anti-social behaviour in Dover town centre.
They have been using their powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to disrupt nuisance and anti-social drinking and aggressive begging. The legislation allows the police and local authority to issue community protection notices to those over the age of 16 for persistent behaviour that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of local people.
This joined up working is part of the Community Safety Partnership, a multi-agency group set up to coordinate help and plan for the future. Members of the partnership continuously look at ways to support vulnerable people in the community.
Sergeant Ben Norbury of the Dover Community Safety Unit, said: "We are focussing our attention on Pencester Park and Market Square, where anti-social behaviour has been of concern to residents, shoppers and visitors to Dover.
"Police officers and district council staff have been working alongside other partners and organisations, including homeless charities, to ensure that the people who need help are signposted to the appropriate agencies."
Five community protection notices have been issued. Four of these notices have already been breached and the individuals concerned will be reported for summons. Officers have also arrested two people who were wanted on warrant and have seized numerous cans and bottles of alcohol from street drinkers.
"During the summer, Dover experiences an increase in drink-related anti-social behaviour in the town city centre," said Sergeant Norbury.
"Anti-social behaviour is usually caused by a minority but it can have a big effect on a community. This operation is helping to combat these issues by deploying officers and Police Community Support Officers dedicated to reducing the problem.
"Kent Police and the district council will continue to use their powers under this legislation to address these issues."
