Businesses condemn bank holiday anti-social behaviour

Businesses in Kent have hit out at "intimidating" large groups gathering at a seaside town during recent sunny weather.

Widely shared footage showed groups of young people on Viking Bay beach in Broadstairs over the warm bank holiday weekend.

Andrew Webb, who runs Kent Surf School at the beach, said anti-social behaviour had "gone on now for the last three years" and the gatherings were "awful to see".

Kent Police said officers had "made several arrests, moved on multiple people following reports of anti-social behaviour, and seized alcohol from underage drinkers".

Webb told BBC Radio Kent that young people were "getting lots of alcohol and bringing it with them".

"All of a sudden they start being aggressive and throwing swear words a lot, a lot of boomboxes there, a lot of music being played," he said.

"It just becomes intimidating because if you say something as a grown-up... you've got a swarm of about 20 or 30 young youths all surrounding you."

Kent Police arrested six people during a crackdown on anti-social behaviour across Thanet over the bank holiday weekend and dispersal orders were introduced in Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate, with nearly 40 people moved on.

According to Webb there has been a "complete decline" of Viking Bay beach in recent years and he is now focusing his attention on his business's other location at Joss Bay, to the north of Broadstairs.

He said the surf school had "seen a massive decline for people not hiring boards or lessons because of the amount of problems that we are receiving."

Webb added that he was "not opening my business until later on" because of the need to clear large amounts of litter from the beach.

The beachfront Viking Bay Cafe said on social media that anti-social behaviour had been seen throughout the town with some businesses "forced to close early because of the disruption and intimidation caused".

It said: "To the people who came here simply to cause trouble, film chaos for social media and disrespect our town - you are not welcome.

"This town is not a backdrop for clout, mayhem or intimidation."

The New Old Bakehouse in Broadstairs said Monday had been "an exhausting day" for local businesses.

"Staff are trying to do their jobs, keep customers safe and keep businesses running, all while dealing with disruption and intimidation," the bakery said.

"People only see small snippets online, they don't see what shop owners and staff actually have to put up with behind the scenes."

East Thanet MP Polly Billington said: "There is clearly a need to go further still to ensure that those visiting do so responsibly and respectfully."

Kent Police said it had deployed additional patrols and arrested teenagers for offences including assaulting an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly.

A dispersal order was in place, according to officers, giving police additional powers to order people to leave the area if it is believed they will behave anti-socially.

Ch Insp Ian Swallow said the force was "committed to tackling anti-social behaviour" and that there would "always be pockets" of incidents.

"Our plans ensured that crime and disorder was kept to an absolute minimum, which is shown by the low number of arrests, and when incidents did arise, officers were able to quickly identify those involved," he said.

Mayor of Broadstairs George Rusiecki told BBC Radio Kent local authorities had "put on extra security guards" to help with disorder.

He said: "We're looking into ways that we can mitigate it, but how is the question."

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