Kent Police officers used special powers more than 1,000 times over the past year to combat antisocial behaviour and bolster community safety.
Throughout the twelve months ending in March 2026, the force issued a total of 1,090 preventative orders, marking a significant increase of 362 actions compared to the previous year. These measures targeted a wide range of issues, from drug-related criminality and shoplifting to nuisance gatherings and the illegal use of vehicles and weapons.
The enforcement surge included the implementation of 13 property closure orders, such as a concentrated effort in Gravesend and Medway where three addresses were shut down in a single week due to drug abuse and violence. Officers also secured 27 Criminal Behaviour Orders against persistent offenders. One notable case involved 51-year-old Robert McCann, who was barred from Maidstone town centre following 13 separate alcohol-related breaches of his prior warnings.
To address public disturbances and unlawful car meets, police established 227 dispersal zones, resulting in 261 individuals being forced to leave specific areas. On an individual level, 430 people were issued Community Protection Warnings, while 132 others received formal Community Protection Notices after failing to heed initial cautions. Further violations of these notices carry the risk of immediate arrest. Beyond formal orders, Kent Police also focused on seizing illegal motorcycles, e-scooters, and catapults used to damage property or harm wildlife.
Superintendent Rob Marsh said:
‘Antisocial behaviour can have a very negative impact within our communities, whether it is people drinking and shouting in the town centre, revving their car engines late at night or using catapults to target animals and property.
‘We do not tolerate such selfish actions and carry out high visibility patrols every day of the week to take robust enforcement action against those found responsible, as well as to prevent incidents from occurring in the first place.
‘As these figures demonstrate, we have a wide range of orders available to help us clamp down on antisocial behaviour and we will continue to make use of them to keep our communities safe and free from the type of incidents that negatively affect people’s lives.’
Antisocial behaviour can be reported online at www.kent.police.uk/report or by contacting your local beat officer.