Kent Police Step Up Summer Patrols as Antisocial Behaviour Crackdown Begins

As warmer weather draws more people outdoors, Kent Police has announced a county-wide summer operation aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour and keeping popular public spaces safe.

Neighbourhood policing teams are preparing for what is traditionally the busiest period of the year, with increased visitor numbers expected at beaches, parks, town centres and tourist attractions between June and September.

The force says officers will be carrying out high-visibility patrols, targeted operations and using powers such as dispersal orders where necessary to prevent disruption and nuisance behaviour.

The initiative is already underway following the recent heatwave that brought large crowds to Kent's coastal towns. During a policing operation in Margate and Broadstairs over the last weekend of May, officers moved on 52 people and made eight arrests for offences including drug-related crime, public order offences and breaches of dispersal orders.

Superintendent Rob Marsh, Head of Strategic Prevention at Kent Police, said tackling antisocial behaviour remains a year-round priority, but the summer months require additional planning due to increased visitor numbers.

While much of the attention is often focused on coastal locations, police have stressed that communities across Kent, including West Kent, will also see proactive enforcement activity.

In Sevenoaks, officers are working with the local authority ahead of the planned introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the Riverside area. The order is expected to provide additional powers to tackle persistent nuisance behaviour and improve safety for residents and visitors.

Kent Police figures show that antisocial behaviour rises significantly during the summer months. Between June and August 2025, the force received more than 10,200 reports, representing almost a third of all antisocial behaviour reports recorded throughout the year.

The most common complaints related to nuisance gatherings, drunken and rowdy behaviour, and nuisance vehicles.

According to Kent Police, more than 1,000 preventative orders were used across the county during the last financial year, including dispersal orders, property closures and Community Protection Warnings.

Officers say the vast majority of residents and visitors enjoy Kent responsibly, but those responsible for intimidation, disorder, vandalism or other antisocial behaviour can expect swift action.

For communities across West Kent, the message from police is clear: increased patrols and enforcement activity will be visible throughout the summer as part of efforts to ensure public spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone.

Source: Kent Police