Police have seized four bikes and dispersed 11 people at Westwood following reports of young people riding into oncoming cars and causing issues for shoppers.
The action was taken last weekend. One youngster attempted to cycle into an officer when they were challenged.
Kent Police say: “It was reported the bicycles were being ridden into oncoming cars trying to enter car parks, and some were seen riding wheelies near people. When challenged by attending patrols, one of the group attempted to cycle into an officer. The teenager was stopped and his details were taken before the group were moved on.”
As a result a dispersal order was brought in, which gave officers an additional power to formally disperse anyone found to be causing issues.
Anyone over the age of 10 can be moved on and banned from the area for up to 48 hours. If they are seen in the area again, they risk being arrested.
Additional high-visibility foot patrols attended the area to reassure members of the public.
On Saturday evening, police dispersed five teenagers and seized two bicycles after they were seen to be used to commit nuisance behaviour.
On Sunday 27 July another six teenagers were dispersed and two additional bicycles were seized.
During the weekend, officers also continued their work in disrupting antisocial behaviour in the town centres and seafronts in Thanet. On Friday evening, officers attended a report of a small group of young people having an altercation in relation to a stolen e-scooter.
The e-scooter was recovered from a boy who was returned to his parents by police. Enquiries into the allegation remain ongoing. Three more people were issued with dispersal notices.
In Ramsgate four young people were dispersed from the area for their behaviour.
A man who refused to move on when requested to do so by an officer was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. He became aggressive and started to cause a disturbance in Marine Parade, Margate on Saturday. He was further arrested for resisting arrest.
Thanet Inspector Richard Batten said: “Bicycles have been seized and officers have also spoken to those responsible, as well as their parents, about their actions.
“Our aim is not to stop children riding their bikes during the summer months, but there are increased risks when people decide to cycle around busy shopping areas, approaching cars and pedestrians, as it poses a risk to others as well as their own safety.
“There are other locations in Thanet which are safer surroundings for that activity.
“Action will be taken against anyone found to be carrying out nuisance behaviour and we hope that people do feel confident that we are responding when they report concerns regarding antisocial behaviour.”
Well done, at last a proactive approach by the police. Keep it up.
These yob kids show absolutely no respect to anyone. They need to be caned like they do in Singapore. That’s what they need.
Like they did when I was young! Not sure it did me any harm or any good. The difference now is there is no fear and as a result no respect. What a pathetic nation we have become 😒
Physically assaulting young people doesn’t solve anything. All it does is normalise violence. A young person on the receiving end of violence is likely to conclude that the only way to conflict resolution is more violence.
For very good reason, not a single civilized country beats its children.
Great to see the police seizing bikes and scooters from troublemakers.
Not true of course, many countries use corporal punishment for both adults and children as a method of discipline which is effective. We then describe them as uncivilized countries whereas in fact we are seen as the uncivilized countries by them because of our crime rates, acceptance of antisocial behaviour and lack of police control of criminality. Singapore is a great example where the population work together.
Bill. There are better ways of solving this problem. Physical punishment is not what these teenagers need.
What is the best way?
They need Basil Fawlty to give them a damn good thrashing ! lol
But seriously , it’s about time Kent Police acted on this anti social behaviour in these supermarket car parks which has been going on for years now
Peter – Welsh lessons?
That’s a bit harsh!
perhaps harry secombe or tom jones singing to them might put a stop too it , but only as a last resort should punishment of this severity be inflicted on the culprits.
So,what are all these better ways,MM? Always quick to put down the ideas of others,but never offer your own.Pathetic!
Don’t expect an answer. She cares too much about criminals.
No physical punishment would work but I say six weeks in a Military boot camp would definately work.
Its amazing how hundreds of foriegn students visit Broadstairs every year and not a murmur.
Its the soft attitude that isnt working.
Do foreign students endure military “boot camps”?
Many do and have a year or two of compulsory military service.
The kids have nothing better to do, let them have fun in the summer and stop talking about “foreign people”, id rather have my kids out having fun maybe get in abit of trouble but not get tossed because some police officer got scared that a kid was going to swerve him. Just give them a ticket saying they cant visit westwood for 48hours instead of seizing bikes and tossing them around.
Anonymous- maybe your parenting needs improving with such remarks!
This has been going on for ages, several weeks ago driving along Westwood Rd I had a group of youngster riding in front of me all over the road back and forth so had no way of passing them it was scary eventually they gave up and moved on
Its not uncommon to see people doing wheelies along Margate Road at the Viduct end, sometimes on electric bikes! Why did the police seize an e-scooter from a boy and return it to his address? Its illegal, end of, it should have been seized and destroyed!
Also motor bikes up and down around Jackie bakers recreation ground and sterling way Ramsgate constant every night so loud , just wish police would patrol areas