Kent Police have enacted drastic new measures across Thanet, granting officers unprecedented powers to crack down on what authorities describe as an “epidemic” of antisocial behavior plaguing the popular coastal towns.
The move comes as residents and businesses voice increasing alarm over escalating street brawls, underage drinking, and brazen aggression towards shop staff.
A Section 34 dispersal order has been slapped on Margate for 48 hours, effective immediately, allowing police to forcibly remove individuals from public spaces. This follows an identical order imposed on Broadstairs, which took effect Friday afternoon and remains in force until Sunday. Officers can now order anyone deemed a “nuisance” to leave the designated zones, with re-entry risking immediate arrest.
Adding to the iron fist approach, Margate will also see Section 60 stop and search powers activated under the Public Order Act. This means officers can now search individuals without suspicion, a significant escalation in police authority.
The crackdown targets “a small minority of young people” accused of wreaking havoc in town centres and along the seafronts. Incidents cited by police include rampant underage street drinking, violent altercations, and reports of aggressive behavior towards shop employees.
Residents can expect a highly visible police presence, with additional patrols swarming the affected areas in a concerted effort to quash the disruptive behavior and “target those causing nuisance.”