Drug dealing and youth disorder hit Kent seaside towns over Bank Holiday

Groups of youths caused chaos across Kent's coast during the late May Bank Holiday, with nearly 40 people moved on and multiple arrests made across Broadstairs, Margate, and Ramsgate.

Kent's coastal towns battered by Bank Holiday antisocial behaviour

Drug dealing, underage drinking, and aggressive confrontations marred Bank Holiday weekends along the Kent coast, the Daily Express reports, with local businesses forced to close early and police deploying dispersal orders across Broadstairs, Margate, and Ramsgate.

Widely shared footage captured large numbers of young people arriving at beaches during the late May heatwave, accompanied by reports of booming music, intimidation of locals, and clashes with business owners. Between Friday 29 May and Sunday 31 May, officers in Margate and Broadstairs moved on 52 people and made eight arrests for offences including refusing dispersal orders, possession with intent to supply drugs, and public order matters. Across Thanet more broadly, nearly 40 additional people were dispersed during the same period.

Andrew Webb, who runs Kent Surf School at Viking Bay, described conditions as "awful" and said antisocial behaviour has affected the area for three years. He told the BBC: "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… 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."

Webb said Viking Bay has suffered a "complete decline," forcing him to shift his operation to another location and delay opening after significant amounts of litter were left behind.

The Viking Bay Cafe posted on social media condemning those who came "simply to cause trouble, film chaos for social media and disrespect our town," and confirmed that some businesses closed early due to "disruption and intimidation." The New Old Bakehouse described it as "an exhausting day" for staff attempting to protect customers.

Police response and statistics

Superintendent Rob Marsh, head of strategic prevention for Kent Police, said tackling such behaviour is a "year-round commitment," but acknowledged that higher visitor numbers during summer create unique pressures.

Last summer — June to August 2024 — Kent Police recorded 10,225 antisocial behaviour reports, representing 31% of the annual total and the highest quarterly figure logged by the force. The most common categories were nuisance gatherings (3,253 reports), drunken or rowdy behaviour (2,130), and nuisance vehicles (1,941). In the last financial year, officers issued 1,090 preventative orders, including 227 dispersal orders and 562 Community Protection Warnings or Notices.

Chief Inspector Ian Swallow, district commander for Thanet, said the area has "robust plans in place to tackle weather-related antisocial behaviour" and noted that the most recent weekend had been comparatively calm following targeted dispersal work. "We are not complacent and know there are many more warm weekends ahead of us, but we are well prepared and will not tolerate any irresponsible behaviour that risks ruining the summer for the vast majority of law-abiding sunseekers," he said.

Chief Inspector Paul Stoner, district commander for Canterbury, said officers are "completely focused on tackling the issues that matter most to our communities," adding that engagement with residents, councillors, and partners is ongoing. "We will not think twice about disrupting those intent on ruining the enjoyment of others," he said.

Seagull killing under investigation

Compounding concerns in Broadstairs, Kent Police are also investigating the killing of a seagull in Pierremont Park, shot in the head — believed to be with a BB gun or catapult — with the report made on 1 June. The force's Rural Team is monitoring developments. Similar incidents involving catapults have recently been recorded in Herne Bay and Sheppey. Kent Police launched a dedicated catapult crackdown last year after receiving approximately 14 calls per day relating to their use.

Calls for further action

East Thanet MP Polly Billington called for additional measures to ensure visitors behave "responsibly and respectfully." Broadstairs Mayor George Rusiecki confirmed that extra security guards have been deployed, with local authorities examining further options.

Kent Police said proactive operations are underway beyond the coast, with abusive street drinkers, catapult misuse, and nuisance e-scooters among the priorities in Gravesend, Sevenoaks, and Chatham. Superintendent Marsh assured residents across the county that the issues extend well beyond seaside hotspots.

Business owners, however, say they continue to feel overwhelmed. The incidents have exposed sustained tension between communities whose economies depend on summer tourism and a minority whose conduct drives visitors and traders away.

Source: Daily Express