Louts behaving badly have led to Thanet Council’s decision to partially close Ramsgate’s Leopold Street multi-storey car park overnight.

The decision was made at a cabinet meeting in a bid to curb ongoing antisocial behaviour in the town centre.

Members approved the closure of floors one to four of the car park, from 7pm to 7am. The two stairways, lift and underpass will also be closed at these times.

The ground floor will stay open, providing 40 unrestricted parking bays and 3 disabled bays - daytime restrictions will be lifted.

The move comes after continued concerns about bad behaviour in the area, including graffiti, vandalism to the machines, signs, drains and doors, noise disturbance and dangerous driving.

Earlier measures employed by the countil to tackle the issues have included the introduction of on-site security between May and August, the installation of cages to the windows, lighting in the stairwell and the refurbishment of the main stairwell and underpass.

A Designated Dispersal Area was also authorised by Kent Police and Thanet Council in August 2013. It runs until February 2014, giving the police extra powers to disperse groups congregating in the area. It could be extended if the issues continue.

Anyone witnessing two or more people causing, or likely to cause, anti-social behaviour in the location is urged to call Kent Police on 101.

Cllr Alan Poole, cabinet member for operational services, said: “The local community has understandably been frustrated by the on-going nuisance caused by a minority of people.

“The council has undertaken a series of measures, which has all come at a cost, to tackle the issues at Leopold Street car park. Despite taking action, anti-social incidents have continued so we’ve needed to take a different approach.

“We’re hopeful that this proposal strikes the right balance, providing motorists with sufficient spaces to park overnight, whilst closing off the areas which have been the main cause for concern.”

The proposals come into force after April 1 2014.