New police team to tackle town centre issues

A new police team is being set up to tackle town centre issues in Dover.

The eight officers, led by a sergeant, will be starting work later this month and will be patrolling daytime and evening throughout the week and at weekends.

The officers, who are coming from elsewhere in Kent Police's East Division, will be targeting drug and alcohol abuse in the town, anti-social behaviour and other criminal offences.

Dover district commander, Chief Inspector Steve Barlow said: "I have met local residents and members of the business community and listened to their concerns that the behaviour of a few is spoiling the quality of life for those living, working and visiting Dover. I have also received emails and letters concerned that a poor impression is being given of the town elsewhere."

He added: "I have always been committed to doing what we can to tackle crime and ensure the safety of those living in the town within the resources that we have available. I am now going to use some of those resources to create a team of officers who will focus on the town centre.

"The team will be addressing the immediate problems but will also be looking at developing longer-term solutions for some of the issues. I hope that by summer 2014 we shall see a real improvement in Dover and that local people can be rightly proud of their town."

The team will be an increase on the two beat officers who already work in the town centre and officers will have powers under the dispersal order introduced last week to move-on troublemakers and take back to their homes young people under the age of 16 who are causing a nuisance.