A significant increase in police patrols this summer in the coastal towns of Herne Bay and Whitstable has led to a dramatic rise in arrests and a focused clampdown on antisocial behaviour, Kent Police announced today.
The heightened police presence was a direct response to numerous community reports this summer, which detailed issues ranging from underage drinking and large beach gatherings to criminal damage against businesses and the use of catapults on wildlife. In a proactive move, Kent Police deployed a dedicated neighbourhood task force and ramped up patrols, headquartered at Herne Bay Police Station.
The results show a stark increase in police action:
- Arrests increased by 88%, rising to 169 between June and August 2025, compared to 90 in the same period last year.
- Theft and shoplifting arrests more than tripled, accounting for 83 of the total arrests, up from 23 last year.
- Stop searches more than doubled from 63 to 160 across the two towns.
- A total of 49 individuals were charged, cautioned, or issued community resolutions.
Herne Bay saw the bulk of the action, with 58 dispersal orders issued, compared to eight in Whitstable.
Chief Inspector Paul Stoner confirmed the sustained effort, stating the deployment followed a meeting with concerned residents. He credited the increased patrols and ongoing youth work with “diverting young people away from committing crime.” He added that the community can expect the robust police presence to continue, saying, “We are going to continue to work with the local community and they will see that sustained presence over the coming months as we go into next year.”