Only three off-licences have signed up to a scheme set up eight months ago to stop the sale of high-strength alcohol in Gravesend town centre.

Gravesham council and Kent Police launched the Reducing the Strength campaign in July, months after the start of a Home Office pilot to tackle drink-fuelled crimes in the borough.

The programme aims for a voluntary agreeement with licenced venues to remove beer, cider and lager with an alcohol volume of 6.5% and above.

More than 60 business owners were contacted and visits carried out but just three off-licences have agreed to support it.

The campaign’s focus was concentrated around the Gravesend Clock Tower in Harmer Street where problem drinkers are known to gather.

According to police reports, the area is also a meeting point for large groups of young people involved in anti-social behaviour with criminal damage, verbal abuse and threats to businesses all reported.

The council’s lead member for business, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Lab) says despite the low take-up the scheme has led to more awareness in selling high-strength alcohol.

He also said Nima Patel, owner of the Nisa Local store in East Milton Road, has seen sales increase since he joined the campaign.

Cllr Dhesi said: "This is something we started implementing in November.

"It is a voluntary scheme at the end of the day and it’s the retailers that have to make the decision.

"In the area we have identified around the clocktower, three out of the six have signed up and in one case the owner says it has increased business because customers feel less intinmidated. The staff also feel less intimidated as well.

"We have to identify certain areas in the town and focus our resources on them.

"What has been positive is that we have had 60 people take a special education course on responsible alcohol retailing.

"We will continue to work to improve awareness of the dangers of selling high-strength alcohol."

The Home Office is due to publish the finding of Gravesham’s Local Alcohol Action Area pilot in the summer.

To sign up for Reducing the Strength phone the council's senior licensing officer Christina Hills on 01474 33 76 51 or email chris.hills@gravesham.gov.uk