New council unit targets 'rowdy' summer crowds

One officer said children threw bottles at him on a patrol in West Malling

A council in Kent has launched a new unit which it says will tackle antisocial behaviour during warmer weather.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s enforcement officers can issue £100 fines and say they have already confiscated alcohol from youths.

The uniformed team will patrol “hot spots” and break up “rowdy” activities between 10:00 BST and 01:30 BST until September.

Councillor and former police officer Des Keers denied the team was doing the work of Kent Police.

Mr Keers told BBC Radio Kent that the antisocial behaviour hotspots were identified by listening to concerns from residents.

“It means we do not have to rely on Kent Police or other law enforcement agencies, because they are all busy people. At times, they cannot be where we want them to be,” he added.

Kent Police said it will assist the council's enforcement unit when necessary.

'Children throwing bottles'

Steve Jenner is one of the three enforcement officers on the team, which began operating on 3 April.

Mr Jenner said a group of children threw empty bottles of alcohol at him during a recent patrol in West Malling.

He said: “They are just bored. They have got themselves into this hole where they get seen like a nuisance."

Lindon Dirmauskas, another member of the team, said people involved in antisocial behaviour can be between 12 years old and "middle-aged".

The council said there were an average of 70 reports of antisocial behaviour a month in Tonbridge and Malling last year.

The trial will run until the autumn and is set to cost the council £65,000.