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Uninsured e scooters seized and graffiti vandals caught during Kent Police crackdown on anti-social behaviour

12:45, 28 July 2021

updated: 16:13, 28 July 2021

A dozen uninsured e scooters have been seized and vandals have been caught in the act during a week-long crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

More than a dozen arrests were also made as police across Kent targeted individuals involved in nuisance and abuse during Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week, a national campaign backed by the Home Office and National Police Chiefs' Council.

A number of e scooters have been taken off the streets. Stock image
A number of e scooters have been taken off the streets. Stock image

In Canterbury the community safety unit sought to clampdown on illegal and anti-social use of e scooters across the city centre, with 11 uninsured scooters subsequently removed from the streets and each rider issued with a traffic offence report.

Another e scooter was seized in Margate after its rider was seen travelling the wrong way down a one-way street.

Meanwhile in Deal two men were arrested after they were seen graffitiing in the Park Avenue area. Police say the men have since apologised to the landowner and are in the process of agreeing a suitable course of action, which could include them removing the damage themselves or paying for it to be cleaned.

Asst Ch Con Peter Ayling said: "Anti-social behaviour is an unacceptable nuisance that can have a serious impact on an affected area. It is often caused by a very small number of people, but we are not blind to its wide-reaching impact.

"Day-in, day-out, our officers provide a visible presence in the communities they serve, and work in close partnership with local councils to prevent future incidents taking place.

"Our efforts will not stop, and I encourage anyone with a concern to report it to us..."

"This week of action complemented these efforts and provided us with an important opportunity to raise awareness and engage with our communities.

"Our efforts will not stop, and I encourage anyone with a concern to report it to us. We will always review information provided and seek to take the most robust, and proportionate, course of action."

Busy areas across the county were regularly visited during the week, from Mote Park in Maidstone to Woodlands Park in Gravesend, and Calverley Park in Tunbridge Wells to Victoria Park in Ashford.

Six arrests were made across Faversham and Sittingbourne, with the reasons for arrest including shoplifting, assault, drink driving, possessing a bladed article and drug dealing.

Each of the people arrested has been released from custody while officers continue to investigate the circumstances.

Police have been on the look-out for anti-social behaviour
Police have been on the look-out for anti-social behaviour

A further four people were detained in Folkestone four, including Joshua Wallis who has since been charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent, driving without a licence or insurance and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The 27-year-old, of Middlemead, Folkestone, has been released on bail to attend Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on August 26.

Anyone affected by anti-social behaviour is asked to report it via the Kent Police website or by calling 101

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here

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