Arrests after 'chaos' on last day of GCSE exams

Three teenagers have been arrested after a large group caused "chaos" at Bluewater on the last day of GCSE exams, police have said.

Kent Police said officers were called to the shopping centre in Greenhithe at about 15:00 BST on Monday after reports of anti-social behaviour in the food court.

Three 16-year-old boys from London were arrested - two on suspicion of causing a public nuisance, and one detained on suspicion of common assault, while about 200 other people were turned away after a dispersal order was put in place.

A Bluewater spokesperson said: "Situations like this are extremely rare, and we apologise to any guests affected."

Dartford's Ch Insp Sarah Rivett said: "While this may have been an isolated incident due to the last day of exams, we are more than prepared for any such anti-social incidents in the future.

"We are tackling nuisance behaviour head on as summer approaches and the school holidays begin.

"As shown yesterday, we aren't afraid to bring the full force of the law down on anyone bringing distress and chaos to our communities."

Rivett urged young people to "think twice" before participating in similar incidents.

"There is no need to gain a criminal record for the sake of boredom or wanting to have fun," she said.

The Bluewater spokesperson said: "Bluewater security teams worked closely with Kent Police to respond to a group of young people causing some disruption in the centre.

"It's important to state that situations like this are extremely rare, and we apologise to any guests affected."