Broadstairs shop owners ‘terrified’ by fighting and damage

Shop workers and residents in a Kent seaside town say they are “terrified” by anti-social behaviour which saw fighting and violence in front of shops and restaurants.

Large groups of youths were filmed brawling and throwing chairs at restaurant staff in Broadstairs, with local business owners saying their properties had been damaged.

A petition from residents is now calling for more to be done by Thanet District Council and Kent Police to tackle the “growing tide” of issues.

A Kent Police spokesperson said it had stepped up policing across the weekend to deal with issues but had been “caught unawares” by the number of people who came to the beach.

Miles Kiddell, who works at Suzanne’s Gift Shop, said: “We had a large group of young students rush up here and cause a lot of issues at Sardinia [a local restaurant].

“They attacked staff and when they couldn’t break the window, they came down here and broke ours instead.”

He added: “I have lived here all my life and worked here for 13 years and I have never once felt scared coming to work but last week I felt terrified.

“I thought I was going to be attacked.”

A dispersal order was put in place from 16:30 BST on Friday, 20 June until Sunday, 22 June to give Kent Police increased powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has since been charged with assaulting a police officer.

Three teenage boys – two aged 16 and one aged 17 – and a 15-year-old girl were also arrested on suspicion of public order offences, assault and criminal damage and had been released on bail, Kent Police said.

More than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling for stronger measures to stop a “growing tide” of anti-social behaviour including drink and drug use, looting and fighting.

The petition says incidents are “eroding [Broadstairs’] charm, safety and economic health” and is calling for increased police patrols, permanent dispersal orders and stronger sanctions on young people involved in anti-social behaviour.

Kent Police Ch Insp Ian Swallow said the incidents had been “really unfortunate and quite worrying but we are confident that they are one-offs”.

Thanet District councillor Mike Garner said it was “important that we get together and agree a plan of action to nip things in the bud before it gets out of hand again”.

A Thanet District Council spokesperson said it was working with Kent Police but had “limited power to act against under-18s”.

The council added: “The mindless behaviour of a small minority of young people in recent days is highly disappointing. Our towns and beaches should be safe places for everyone to enjoy.”