A 48 hour dispersal order was put in place for Margate seafront last night (July 19) following yet more disturbances where arresting officers were kicked and spat at.
Three teenagers from Medway were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. In a separate incident later the same day a teenage boy was assaulted and needed hospital treatment.
The order gives officers the power to disperse people under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, they can also seize any items used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.
Those under 16 could be taken be to their home address, and follow-up work will be done with parents.
For those who continue to disregard police once given the advice to leave, fines will be issued.
Beach concession holder Adam Pegden, who operates Kiddies Corner on the sands, said the area was “lawless” and revealed he had cleared away 57 canisters of nitrous oxide gas.
He said: “Yesterday in Margate it was lawless and we lost control of the town. There were constant fights and antisocial behaviour all day long on the beach and seafront.
“I kept Kiddies Corner closed due to the higher temperatures. I’m glad I did as it would not have been possible to open rides for children with such serious incidents going on in the town. It’s just so sad to see.”
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called to a report of a disturbance in Marine Terrace, Margate at 1.20pm. One officer who attended the scene was kicked and another was spat at.
“Three boys, all aged 17 and from the Medway area, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
“Officers were called back to Marine Terrace at 5.15pm on the same day following a report of a fight on the beach.
“A teenage boy told attending officers he had been assaulted. He required hospital treatment for head injuries and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
“A 48-hour dispersal order was put in place for the town’s seafront at 9.30pm that evening, giving officers extra powers to move on anyone causing trouble in the area and arrest those who persist.”
Thanet District Commander Detective Inspector Matthew Smith added: “We are working with partner agencies to keep Margate Main Sands a safe and enjoyable place to visit.
‘It is totally unacceptable that police officers working in difficult conditions to respond to incidents on the seafront should be assaulted or abused.
‘People who come to Thanet to cause trouble and commit criminal offences must know that they will be arrested and we will do everything we can to bring them before the courts.”
It the third time in less than two months that trouble has flared on Margate seafront and the second time in the same period that a dispersal order has been put in place.
