JARINJE, Kosovo, Nov 25 (Reuters) - British troops are patrolling the Kosovo-Serbia border as part of a NATO peacekeeping presence being bolstered amid concern that the former wartime foes could return to open conflict following a series of violent incidents in recent months.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization sent hundreds of additional forces to Kosovo from Britain and Romania after a battle between the authorities and armed Serbs holed up in a monastery turned a quiet village in northern Kosovo into a war zone on Sept. 24.

In the village of Banjska, one police officer and three gunmen were killed, marking the worst violence since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Kosovo has accused Serbia of providing financial and practical support to the gunmen, an allegation that Belgrade denies.

To address the escalating tensions, NATO has deployed an extra 1,000 troops to the region, bringing the total number of peacekeepers to 4,500 from 27 countries.

In their efforts to ensure the security of Kosovo, British soldiers have been assigned to 18-hour shifts in freezing conditions at the border with Serbia. Their primary objective is to prevent the entry of weapons or armed groups into Kosovo.

Lieutenant Joss Gaddie, from the British Army, stated that their current mission involves routine patrols, intelligence gathering, and reporting any illegal or suspicious activities to KFOR (NATO mission) and higher authorities.

During a visit to the western Balkans on Monday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the need to review whether a more permanent increase in forces is necessary to prevent further escalation of conflict in Kosovo or the wider region.

Kosovo, with an ethnic Albanian majority, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a guerrilla uprising and a NATO intervention in 1999.

Approximately five percent of the population in Kosovo belong to the ethnic Serb community, with half residing in the north. These individuals refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence and consider Belgrade as their capital. They have frequently clashed with Kosovo police and international peacekeepers.

In an attempt to regulate vehicle registrations, Prime Minister Albin Kurti's government has set a deadline of December 1 for approximately 10,000 motorists to register their cars with Kosovo numbers or face stiff penalties. It is important to note that a similar request last year resulted in violent clashes.

As the situation in Kosovo remains fragile, NATO is committed to ensuring peace and stability by maintaining a strong presence and closely monitoring developments in the region.