To deal with the problem of nuisance vehicles in Medway, Kent Police have issued dispersal orders for the second consecutive weekend.
The orders will affect several areas in Chatham, Chattenden, Hoo, and Strood from 7pm on Friday 7 July to 7pm on Sunday 9 July 2023.
The affected areas are:
Four Elms Hill, Chattenden Peninsular Way, Ratcliffe Highway and the roads enclosed by Peninsular Way, Bell Lane, and Main Road, Hoo Leviathan Way, Dock Head Road, Maritime Way, Quayside, Portside View, Wheelwrights Way, Starboard Crescent, Western Avenue and Walter Burke Way, Chatham Roman Road, Chariot Way, Strood
The orders also apply to the Dockside Outlet Centre, Chatham, the Medway Valley Leisure Park, Strood, and their car parks.
The police have taken this action in response to a rise in complaints from the public about nuisance vehicles and dangerous driving in the past month. The orders enable officers to stop and disperse anyone who is behaving anti-socially in the area. If they come back after being dispersed, they can be arrested. They also face the possibility of having their vehicles confiscated if they continue to cause trouble.
Inspector Daniel Blatter from the Medway Community Safety Unit said: ‘We have received reports from residents who are worried about the risk that nuisance vehicles and dangerous driving pose to other road users and the quality of life of the community. The orders grant our officers extra powers to deal with anyone who is causing a nuisance and arrest them if they return to the area after being dispersed. Those who do not stop this behaviour may also lose their vehicles.’
Kent Police is focusing on tackling anti-social behaviour as part of the force’s ongoing Safer Summer initiative. Anybody who wishes to report incidents should report it online via the Kent Police website.
Click here for more information about Safer Summer.