LISTEN: What People in Maidstone Think About New Town Marshals

No-go areas plagued by drunks and anti-social behaviour will be targeted in a new drive to clean up the County Town. A crack team of marshals have been recruited to keep the peace in public spaces including Jubilee Square and Brenchley Gardens. The four-strong group will be police trained and will be on patrol from noon to 5pm, which has been identified as a problem time. It is the idea of One Maidstone, which aims to encourage business, and hopes to reassure shoppers and visitors the town is a safe and nice place to be. The move follows successful trials of late-night wardens, who have track records in calming volatile, booze-fuelled situations.