News

Revellers in Folkestone are being warned they could be arrested or fined if they urinate in public.

Kent Police is responding to concerns from local residents in the town centre and harbour area about drunk men urinating in doorways, footpaths, and in some cases through letterboxes.

Police patrols are being instructed to intervene with anyone urinating in a public place and to consider arresting them for being drunk and disorderly, public order offences or outraging public decency.

People can also be issued with fixed penalty notices for £80.

Licensing officer PC Chris Stephens said: "We are highlighting this issue as part of the overall campaign to make people more 'drink aware' and to be more responsible for their actions.

"Unfortunately, urinating in public is another consequence of 'binge drinking', and I would urge everyone to make sure they use toilet facilities before they leave pubs and clubs and not be caught short in public, as the consequences could be very sobering.

"I imagine that nobody would want to be arrested and wake up in a police cell on Christmas morning because they urinated in public."