Police detain teen and authorise dispersal order after ‘disturbance’ in East Hill, Dartford

A teenager has been detained after police dispersed a large group of teenagers near a town centre.

Officers were called to reports of a disturbance in East Hill, Dartford, just before 8pm on Saturday (January 24).

Police attended and authorised a dispersal order, requiring the “large” group to leave the area.

One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, reported seeing “a large group of at least 50 teenagers” in the area.

They had been on the 428 bus from Bluewater to Dartford, and noticed several police cars when coming down East Hill.

They explained: “At first I thought there had been an accident and then I saw a police van and unmarked police car and then when turning towards the Dartford station bus stop, I saw a large group of teenagers with police officers.

“A few minutes later when walking near the Turkish restaurant, there was a large group of at least 50 teenagers running down.

“A woman messaged me saying that there was some sort of party going on in her road and about 30 teenagers were gathered outside and in the neighbour's garden.

“It appears that there were uninvited guests that turned up."

Police later confirmed a 15-year-old boy was detained and taken home to his parents, pending an interview under caution regarding a suspected public order offence.