A new crime squad - the first of its kind in Kent - is to be launched in Maidstone to crack down on escalating violence and anti-social behaviour.

The task force will see a dedicated team of police officers and council workers patrolling the town centre seven days a week.

It follows a spate of serious offences - most recently on Saturday night when an 18-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck outside KFC in Week Street.

Two new gates are also to be installed at anti-social behaviour hotspot Brenchley Gardens to try to reduce trouble-making there.

Maidstone and the Weald MP, Helen Grant said: “It is absolutely abhorrent that crimes such as these are taking place on the streets of Maidstone and something does have to be done.

“My constituency office is located at the heart of this trouble spot and my team and I are ready and willing to work with local traders, residents and all of the partners of the forthcoming task force, to return our shopping streets to pleasurable and safe places to work and play.”

The task force will be a joint enterprise between Kent Police, Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council and it's thought at least five PCs and one sergeant will be working seven days a week, alongside a KCC warden and members of the violent reduction unit, housing and community protection team.

A spokesman for Maidstone council said: "MBC can confirm that the Maidstone Town Centre Task Force has been planned for some time and is in the final stages of being implemented. The recruitment process for the roles with the team is currently taking place and it is hoped that the task force will be officially launched as soon as these roles have been filled.

"The new task force will focus on working within the town centre, to help reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and the wider determinants of crime.

"As part of the Maidstone Safer Partnership, MBC and partners including One Maidstone and Kent Police continuously monitor the town centre to help protect the people of Maidstone to keep safe and feel safe."

On Saturday, police swarmed part of Week Street, close to Maidstone East railway station and McDonald's after a teenager was left injured from stab wounds.

Officers were called just before 9pm and a cordon was put in place for more than 12 hours.

A number of incidents over the past years at that end of town have caused its reputation to go downhill, with one councillor labelling it "lawless".

In February police were called to McDonald's after allegations a large group of youngsters were being anti-social and a member of staff had been racially abused and had a drink thrown over him.

In May last year a restaurant owner was left with serious injuries after an Uber Eat's driver attacked him.

Hamdi Braeik admitted grievous bodily harm after he stamped on Grill 91 owner Mukhtar Hussain's head in Brenchley Gardens.

Months later, in October, three teenage girls were left traumatised after a "gang of 25" set upon them in the same gardens.

The trio were allegedly sitting outside McDonald's on their own when the gang attacked, chasing them into the nearby park.

They were "attacked individually", according to one of the victim's mothers.

In March two teenagers were charged and accused of a number of offences in Week Street, including kidnap, assault, criminal damage and assaulting an officer.

It's claimed numerous fast-food takeaways on the street were the subject of violent disturbances which allegedly saw chairs thrown at staff and customers.

In September 2017, father-of-three Wayne Chester, 50, was killed after he was punched just once in the head outside McDonald's.

Teenager Andre King, just 16 at the time, landed the fatal blow after Mr Chester remonstrated with King and his other youths who were congregating outside the restaurant's doors.

Mr Chester fell to the ground and died soon afterwards from a combination of brain injury, cardiac arrest and blunt force trauma, and associated complications.