Brawling teens disrupt first Broadstairs firework night event

Police at the scene of one brawl

Brawling teenagers marred the first of the Broadstairs firework display nights last night (July 17).

Witnesses report multiple police cars and two vans attending the scene at Viking Bay after  fights broke out between a large number of youths, both male and female.

Onlookers, many who had taken their children to enjoy the event, reported teens throwing bottles, fighting police and chasing other youngsters through the high street as well as at least three separate mass brawls.

Police reportedly used pepper spray on at least one occasion.

Witness John Paul said: “It was disgusting and what makes it worse are the people that play it down. The mentality of some of the youths around here is becoming a huge problem, i have an 18 year old who I have raised with respect and manners but it’s my three- year-old I worry for. It is such a pity that beautiful Thanet is becoming like Beirut.”

A similar incident on a smaller scale took place at a firework display night in 2017 when police were called in.

Many witnesses praised the quick response of officers but have questioned whether extra security needs to be implemented for event nights.

Onlookers at the scene Photo John Paul

The event is organised by community group Broadstairs Fireworks Events (Broadstairs Summer Fireworks Committee) and sponsored by Broadstairs Town Council with help from local businesses and money from the public put in donation buckets.

A spokesman for Broadstairs Summer Fireworks Committee said if more security and a paid police presence is required the event may have to be axed.

They said: “We are consulting with the police as to what security measures will be required to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy these popular family traditional evenings.

“It is such a shame that once again in our society  generally  that completely unacceptable alcohol fuelled behaviour by a minority of out of control mindless yobs is jeopardising the enjoyment of the majority of people. We are a small voluntary group that puts these events on with the financial support of Broadstairs & St Peters Town Council and local business sponsors.

” If the police recommend that we need a high level of security and  paid police presence it is very unlikely  that we will be able to fund the requirements  and sadly we would have to make the disappointing and sad decision to cancel the planned summer displays .

“On a positive note  the area around the bandstand , Victoria Gardens and promenade were trouble free and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by families that turned out to enjoy the music , entertainment, and spectacular fireworks. We will make an announcement as soon as we are able to.”

A town council spokesperson said: “The anti-social behaviour did not prevent the firework display taking place. The majority of people attending enjoyed a very successful event.”

Kent Police has been asked for further details.

 

23 Comments

  1. There should be a curfew on kids under 17 years old not to be in a public place after 8 pm unless accompanied by an adult. These yobs had planned this fighting as they do most of these events. It’s a pity they have done away with birching that’s what they need.

    • Ridiculous. So those of us who have bought up our teens to be mature and responsible and well behaved are punished. Do you really think that the kind of parents who have raised these kind of teens would be the slightest bit bothered by having a curfew?

  2. Start prosecuting the parents of these kids and they would soon start taking an interest in their kids life and stop them to be everyone else’s problem. The violence and antisocial behaviour that is an epidemic in Thanet is the sole responsibility of poor parenting. It’s not the governments fault, it’s not the schools fault, it’s the parents responsibility to raise their kids.

    • Blaming the parents is disgusting! I am sure that many of these parents have older children who have never contributed towards any acts of antisocial behaviour. We need to look at the gang culture which is evolving in the area and where this is stemming from. It’s definitely not the fault of the parents nor the schools. Maybe it’s time look a bit further from home and realise that Thanet is becoming a little London and without an intervention things are only going to get worse.

      • (don’t pass blame) Agreed most of the time it’s not the parents fault the youth know it all by 11 by 13 they have drunk hard spirits and smoked cannabis some have tried stronger drugs they see there friends at school and on the way home take it in turns to by a bag so smoke it daily they know each dealer who allows them to get it till pocket money day a lot then steal from shops to show the parents they bought this with pocket money. So sad what they are doing. But how can they blame the parents and teachers all the time it got worse since both parents have to work to make ends meet.

      • Don’t pass the blame,
        too many parents do not discipline their children and see them as their mates not children. A lot of these young thugs are latch key kids, coming and going at their own discretion with little or no parenting and spend more time with their mates than with their families. These slacker parents are also quick to defend their out of control kids even when they know they are in the wrong and live in denial, blaming everyone and everything for the results of their poor parenting. It’s time the bad parents took responsibility for their own children.
        Fortunately the vast majority of parents pass on a decent sense of morals to their children and they would never get involved in anything like these mass brawls, however for some parents It’s always going to be someone else’s fault for their own failings.

    • Agree totally! Also sometimes if you tell those kids off the parents have a go at you! Unfortunately they have a full support of their parents and nothing you can do about it!

  3. Dear John Paul, you’ll actually find that the Middle Eastern culture, with family life put before everything else, means that this kind of thing would never happen in Beirut. It is simply the kids here, with no discipline and no family respect, who do this.

    • What a stupid question, use your eyes.
      The comment was not meant to be taken literally as well you know!

      • What is the point of making such an absurd comparison?

        Also, regarding the mention of London, I lived in East London for decades and (I know this is anecdotal evidence) have never seen two gangs fighting .

        • As did I in Bexley area and you may not see the fights as in the London area its in quickly and out gone leaving one or two lying dying. It happened and still is happening.

          • Big Chris- you are right, incidents involving extreme violence do often take place very quickly and not so publicly. Last night’s incident seems, from the article, to have been more of a show of strength by at least one of the groups.

            And you’re also right that the parents should not always be blamed. Well-brought-up teenagers often reject their parents’ values, at least temporarily.

  4. Parents can’t lock kids up but the kids involved should be named to the schools and parents by filming the events publishing to the local schools to pick them out.
    Or police work with parents that care about kids from eventually getting killed by maybe an app that alerts parents of trouble.then parent can check that there kid is not in that area with gps.pretty sure all kids carry a phone these days when my child out on the streets I will have background app locating my child.

  5. I hear it was crews from Broadstairs margate and Ramsgate sorting out who is top dog it does sound very likely as there was a lot of noise in alley by Ramsgate Station and margate Road about 15 boys and girls in group helicopter was above filming? Not 100%sure if they were filming. It’s a few years since they did this sort of thing it is like what is going on in London postcode turf wars. I hope this is not going to be the case around thanet.

  6. With any antisocial behaviour. Name and shame list with community service. In big bright orange overalls cleaning all the graffiti. Plenty of it around thanet.

  7. I hate all of Thanet and have done for years now. The whole area is full of ignorant chavs both male and female. The parent’s are chavs too. The only decent families are people from outside thanet who have moved in ( poor souls) Kids as young as 9 are on drugs and teenage pregnancy the highest in the south east. The police are scared of then all. I know i will get alot of abuse for this post but i am originally from an estate in South london and seriously its safer there than Thanet. I’m off out of here.

    • I love Thanet. I live 10 minutes from the beach, laid back atmosphere, great transport links and I’ve met loads of brilliant people.

      However I know what areas to avoid at certain times of the night. Perhaps (touch wood) I’ve been lucky so far.

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