Kent Police operations targeting antisocial behaviour in Thanet led to the dispersal of 74 individuals and six arrests over the weekend.
From Friday, June 27, 2025, through the weekend, officers enforced dispersal orders in Broadstairs, Margate, and Ramsgate. The orders, coupled with high-visibility patrols, aimed to quickly identify and address nuisance behaviour.
These temporary powers were introduced following a series of incidents between Thursday, June 19, and Saturday, June 21, 2025, which included reports of underage street drinking and aggressive behaviour towards staff at local shops and restaurants. Police confirmed the ongoing work is part of a broader effort to deter such incidents across the district.
As well as a total of 24 people searched during the weekend, other results included:
• On Friday evening, two teenage girls were dispersed from Margate after they were seen swearing and shouting. Later, officers saw them shouting on a bus, still in the town. They were removed from the bus and arrested on suspicion of breaching the dispersal order. One was found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine which was seized, and both girls were taken back to their parents. They will be subject to further ongoing action.
• An e-scooter was seized from a 21 year old man after police saw it travelling along Victoria Parade in Broadstairs on Saturday. The man was reported for using an uninsured vehicle.
• In Ramsgate police intervened with a group of young people causing a disturbance on Friday night. An off-duty officer in the area also saw the incident and seized a baseball bat from one of the teenagers. Further enquiries established that damage had been caused to a window of a property in the York Street area, resulting in the arrest of one of the group. A further four were dispersed from the area. Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
• Working with colleagues at British Transport Police as well as CCTV operators, officers were able to monitor any potential issues arising and take prompt action. On Friday in Broadstairs, police confiscated a crate of beer from a group of teenagers arriving in the town and words of advice were given about not causing antisocial behaviour.
• On Saturday in Broadstairs and in Margate, officers responded to reports of large groups of young people arriving in the towns, including a group suspected of travelling without tickets. They were met at the railway station and dispersed away from the town.
• A 17 year old boy reported to be causing a disturbance at the railway station in Margate on Sunday was issued with a dispersal order and a community protection warning for his behaviour. Many more young people were spoken to and reminded of the importance of responsible socialising.
District Commander for Thanet, Chief Inspector Ian Swallow said:
‘We hope people who were out enjoying the beaches felt reassured by the work of officers this weekend.
‘Dispersal orders covering the town centres and beaches were put in place and are continuing currently until the afternoon of Tuesday 1 July. This is under constant review and will be utilised as needed.
‘Throughout the summer months we will continue to target anyone found to be causing crime and disorder and those who persistently offend will be identified and dealt with proportionately.
‘Antisocial behaviour is not welcome and anyone who sees or hears anything of concern is urged to report it to Kent Police. By working together with the communities we serve, the businesses and our partner agencies, we can continue to keep the district a safe place for residents and visitors.’