Hair-pulling attack in Broadstairs leaves shopkeeper traumatised

A shop owner has said his family does not want to stay in the same town after his wife was dragged out of their shop by her hair and slammed into a parked car as she tried to prevent a theft.

Akshit Patel said his wife, Kinnari, was assaulted as she tried to stop the theft of alcohol from Londis in Broadstairs High Street, Kent, on 20 August.

Mr Patel said: “That night, my wife and daughter didn’t sleep at all and my daughter, she is still in shock.”

Kent Police said a 15-year-old girl had been arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault, and released on bail.

The force confirmed it was called to a report three people had been assaulted after staff intervened in an attempted theft at about 19:20 BST on 20 August.

It said officers attended with paramedics, and patrols took place in the town to ensure no further disturbances.

Mrs Patel alleged chunks of her hair were torn from her scalp during the incident.

“She just pulled my hair and dragged me down,” she said.

Mr Patel said his family did not want to say in Broadstairs any longer, despite the kindness of most of the local people.

“The town’s people give us so much love. It’s like a family,” he said.

“Anytime anything happened in the last 16 years, they’re always behind me.”

The Patels said they were now considering employing security guards.

In June, Kent Police was granted extra powers to deal with outbreaks of anti-social behaviour in parts of Thanet, including Broadstairs.

A spokesman for the force said: “Additional patrols, as well as dispersal orders, have remained in Broadstairs throughout the summer and policing resources are being used as necessary to ensure Thanet remains a safe place to live and visit.”