FURIOUS residents in a pretty seaside town are bracing for a summer of carnage after youths unleashed a weekend of havoc.
Hordes of youths swarmed on the quaint town of Broadstairs in Kent over the Bank Holiday.
Cops said they made 6 arrests and used dispersal powers to break up disorder linked to antisocial behaviour, underage drinking and criminal damage across Broadstairs and other towns in Thanet.
Kent cops also said they were “monitoring social media” for any promotions of gatherings that could trigger disorder.
And they vowed to tackle troublemakers “head-on”, while adding the yobbish behaviour is in the “minority”.
But local residents and business owners fear this is just the beginning of a summer of carnage.
Huge gatherings – often dubbed “links up” and organised on social media – took over the town during the hot weather.
Broadstairs locals say many of the groups of youths are believed to have arrived on trains from places such as the Medway towns and London.
They said stores had to close and take drink off the shelves with locals saying they were stealing alcohol or trying to buy booze with fake IDs.
And it follows similar scenes of chaos last summer – which saw brawls on the beaches.
Maria Goldfinch, 44, a mother of one, who runs The New Old Bakehouse and tea rooms described the Bank Holiday scenes as “the worst ever” in Broadstairs.
She said huge crowds of youths gathered on the streets which prevented regulars and families coming into her tearoom.
“The Sunday and the Monday of the Bank Holiday were our worst days ever,” she said, adding that the business was about £1000 down because of it.
“No one sat outside my tearoom because there was drinking, bad language. We had bottles thrown at us, footballs kicked at us. They were even skinning up joints.
She added: “We love visitors, but I’ve had customers who have been coming to Broadstairs for 15 years and they’ve said they probably won’t come back because they’ve never experienced something so horrendous.”
Broadstairs is famed for its close links to 19th century writer Charles Dickens, a frequent visitor to the resort.
Father of two Akshit Patel, 49, who has run the Londis store for 17 years with his wife, said his store came under siege.
“They were trying to steal alcohol from the shops – causing trouble and arguing if they haven’t got ID and we’ve refused to serve them – they just give us trouble, swearing and so on.
He added: “They pushed me down. Pushed me onto the floor and I’ve just had a hip replacement last month.
Mr Patel said he and his wife were also attacked last August in a similar incident.
“It is scary,” he said. “Last year, one of the girls, they punched my wife and punched me in August. They pulled her hair.”
Mr Patel said police needed to stop kids using fake IDs and confiscate them from the youngsters.
He said they were dreading the summer holidays.
“The whole town, they need to get it sorted out before the holidays start because we want families to come and enjoy our seaside town.”
He added: “We have been here for 17 years and this has only happened the last two years. Before that it’s never happened before.”
Sue Brown, 76, who retired to Broadstairs 10 years ago, said: “I’m not prudish but half of the girls have got nothing on and they’re in and out of Tesco. It’s not a good look.”
Asked if the crowds of youths were giving Broadstairs a bad name, she said: “Sadly. And it’s a lovely town and the people are really nice, so yes, it is giving the town a bad name.
One 79 year old woman who was with two friends, who asked not to be named, said: “If they were coming down to enjoy the beach and go swimming, that’s fine but they’re not they’re intimidating people – families.”
Her friend added: “The bottom line is we don’t want them. How the hell can a group of young people hold a town in terror like that?
“Last year they smashed up restaurants, Tesco. It’s not just a few little things, they are really causing havoc.”
Semi-retired Andy Roberts, 58, from nearby Deal, who has been visiting the town for 15 years, said: “It’s bang out of order.
“The fact that local businesses are having to close has a massive impact on everybody in the town.
Polly Billington, Labour MP for East Thanet, said: “Broadstairs will always welcome visitors from far and wide, but there is no excuse for drunken louts abusing our hospitality by engaging in crime and antisocial behaviour.
“Residents and businesses have a right to feel safe.
“My message is clear: Thanet will always be open for visitors, but we will never accept yobbish behaviour as the price of a successful summer.”
Chief Inspector Ian Swallow, District Commander for Thanet, told The Sun: “Kent Police is tackling antisocial behaviour head-on in Broadstairs and across the county as part of robust plans to keep disruption to a minimum.
“Broadstairs is a beautiful seaside town and is understandably a popular place to visit. We do not want to discourage people from coming here unless they are planning to cause a nuisance to others, which is unacceptable and will result in police action being taken against them.
“The last bank holiday weekend was very busy and inevitably led to pockets of disorder in the town, but we were well prepared and dispersed a significant number of people when we had probable cause to do so.
“We also made several arrests and seized drugs and alcohol to help ensure the vast majority of people enjoyed their visit, and have since received positive feedback from tourists, residents and local business owners.
“We are well aware of the impact caused by antisocial behaviour and encourage people to report it when it happens so we can continue to take the appropriate action.”
A spokesperson for Thanet Council said: “As a popular coastal destination, many people use our beaches, parks and open spaces responsibly and without incident. We work alongside a number of partners, including Kent Police to ensure they remain safe and welcoming for all.”
