A GRANDMOTHER says anti-social louts will descend on her town after police decided to stop dispersing them.

The 67-year-old, who is too scared to be named, works in Hextable where north Kent police have enforced a dispersal operation since February.

The operation, which included Swanley town centre, ended on June 5.

Its success means it has been extended until December but only in Swanley.

For four months police used their dispersal powers in Hextable to move on 38 people, compared to 128 in Swanley.

The shopkeeper said: "We are very concerned the dispersal operation has not been renewed. When it was in force the mob causing trouble went to Wilmington but now they are going to come back.

"When they are in groups they follow each other like lambs. When they are on their own they are as good as gold."

During the initial dispersal operation north Kent police took action against 35 people including six drug searches, 14 stop and searches and eight arrests for public order offences.

Chairman of Hextable Residents' Association Roger Neaves said: "I am very disappointed Hextable's dispersal area is not to be renewed.

"There is every chance the situation will cause kids to move from Swanley to here. I urge the police to reconsider."

North Kent police area commander Superindentent Martin Hewitt said: "No displacement of youths from Swanley went into Hextable during the four months the two areas were running side by side.

"With this in mind we felt it more beneficial one dispersal area remained to focus on the nuisance youths in Swanley."

The dispersal area in Swanley covers Nightingale Way, the Pioneer Way industrial estate, off London Road, and the White Oak Sports Centre, in Hilda May Avenue.

Police have the power to disperse groups of two or more if they believe members of the public feel threatened.

Anyone resisting dispersal can be arrested and fined or imprisoned for three months.