GRAVESEND has joined a government scheme to try and tackle alcohol-related crime in the town centre.

The Home Office has announced the area is now one of 20 Alcohol Action Areas in England and Wales aimed at curbing booze-fuelled disorder.

Gravesham Council successfully bid to make the whole town centre one of the pilot areas in line to receive support and expertise from the Home Office, the Department of Health and Public Health England.

The LAAAs will be put in touch with mentor areas that have successfully tackled the same sort of problems.

Recorded anti-social behaviour incidents fell by almost 20 per cent last year but Gravesham still has the third highest rate per 1,000 people (37.8) in Kent’s 12 districts.

Street drinking was linked to 110 anti-social behaviour incidents last summer.

Gravesham council leader Councillor John Burden said: "While alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in Gravesham may not be as much of an issue as in some of the country’s major city centres, its negative impact on a relatively small town centre is considerable and of concern to everyone.

"We hope by attracting Home Office support we will be able to address the problem and begin to solve it."

A video was posted on YouTube of a fight in Gravesend Community Square recently.