POLICE say the arrest of seven people at a fireworks display in a Kent town prevented an outbreak of public disorder at a family-orientated event.

There have been violent incidents in the past at the Broadstairs fireworks, which was held on Wednesday.

Extra resources from around the county, including four police dogs, provided a highly visible police presence in the town to deal with any outbreaks of premeditated violence.

Officers were also given the power to search anybody in Broadstairs for weapons. As a result one man was arrested for possessing a lock knife.

Meanwhile, British Transport Police officers recovered several makeshift weapons, such as hammers, screwdrivers and Stanley knives, abandoned on a train at Broadstairs station after a large group of young people got off.

Insp Steve Wyatt, the officer in charge of policing the fireworks, said: "Kent Police will always take a hard line to senseless behaviour, especially at family events like the Broadstairs fireworks.

"I make no apologies for the robust policing tactics used on Wednesday night. We’re here to protect the public and we’ll use all the powers we have to ensure we do."