Seven people were kicked out of a town centre while a man was arrested for stealing food and sweets after police were issued with additional powers to tackle on-going problems in one area.

A weekend dispersal order helped officers take action as the force continues to wrestle with “out-of-control” anti-social behaviour in Sittingbourne.

The order was in place from Friday, March 28 until Sunday, March 30 and gave the force additional powers to move trouble makers on. If people who are told to leave return, they face being arrested.

The enforcement came after KentOnline reported on Saturday that residents were forming “road crews” to fight back against crime in their streets.

The idea is that when there are issues, members message each other in a Whatsapp group chat and all go out together to confront the perpetrators.

One of the men involved explained that while no one wants to form a group like that, he felt he had to take action as “crime was out control”.

In response, Swale police commander Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster said the tactics her units were using are “yielding positive results” with 44 fewer anti-social behaviour incidents reported in the town centre – 9.5% – year-on-year.

One of the tactics regularly used by police is the dispersal order.

During the weekend enforcement, a local man was also arrested on suspicion of three separate thefts of sweets and food worth almost £150.

The suspect was also wanted on a court warrant and was later charged and remanded in custody.

Patrols also seized alcohol when they saw it being drunk in the town centre, which is covered by a Public Space Protection Order banning street drinking.

An off-road motorcycle was also taken away by officers after it was ridden illegally in the retail park. The rider received a traffic offence report.

Inspector Julia Bassindale said today (Monday, March 31) that the police are “determined” to continue to tackle crime and youth nuisance in the town centre.

She said: “Whilst on patrol, we spoke to many members of the public as well as shop owners who supported our ongoing work to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“Of those ordered to leave the area, some live locally, and others have travelled from neighbouring locations.

“In every case, their parents received a visit and strong words of advice from one of our patrols, while our Child Centred Policing Team will also be assessing what further measures are required.

“We will be taking action against those who persist in causing problems for local people.”

In October, KentOnline spent a Friday night investigating the anti-social behaviour problem in the town centre, where much of the crime seems to be taking place.

Read more: Reporter Joe Crossley’s night investigating Sittingbourne’s notorious anti-social behaviour problem

The investigation was sparked by a string of incidents, including a violent attack on people at Sittingbourne Retail Park.

An altercation with three boys in McDonald’s saw a manager headbutted and another staff member punched in November.

The investigation uncovered what effects the image of a “dangerous” high street is having on businesses and how the police are trying to grapple with the issue.