A 39-year-old man has been arrested after numerous businesses in Ramsgate town had windows smashed last night (January 30).
Among those targeted were York Street Flowers, Boots, the former gallery in York Street, British Red Cross, Ramsgate Thrift Store, The i station, Custom tattoo studios, Harbour Bakery and the neighbouring newsagents, Sunrise fish and chips and The Red Lion pub.
District and town councillors Becky Wing and Tricia Austin have been out to see affected business owners today.
Cllr Wing said: “Ramsgate is a great place to live, work, shop, be a part of and you can still buy most of what you need from our town centre businesses and supermarkets as I do. It’s got a great range of independent business who really do work hard so to discover this morning that a number of them were contacted to say their windows had been damaged was gutting and another expense they could do without.
“The police have been quick to respond and things have been improving but we really must find solutions to the ongoing sometimes daily antisocial behaviour that makes the town centre a less comfortable place to be and that can ‘boil over’ into more serious crimes.
“I have already been in contact with our local MP, Ramsgate town and Thanet district councils, the police and other town centre councillors to see what we can do together to address the ongoing situation.
“There have been improvements but we need to find ways to sustain and build upon these, the return of the Dunkirk Little Ships, the Festival of Light over December as well as other events and the extra security provided by RTC, has all had a positive impact.
“The removal of derelict phone boxes, refurbished benches, litter picking and larger bins with recycling options have improved the public realm, so we know further change is possible. In the meantime, it is so important that we support our town centre, it is not just about the shops, it is our community, which is full of wonderful people, a trip into town to shop for everyday items, gifts, drink or eat for example, is also a wonderful opportunity to meet others.
“We are seeing some great new businesses appearing, including a new dog groomers on Queen Street, the expansion of the Ramsgate Thrift Shop in the town centre, RC Drift experience on York Street and a new mini market up on the High Street, so we are in a period of transition.
“I really hope this is just a ‘one off’ event so let’s get into our town centre as often as we can and support our fabulous local businesses, it really is a great place to be.”
A statement from Ramsgate Town Council adds: “We want to reassure residents that the town centre is safe and open. There is no ongoing risk to the public.
“Our thoughts are with the business owners affected, many of whom are independently run and incidents like this are upsetting, costly and disruptive, and your support means more than ever. If you’re out and about today, please consider popping into local shops, cafés and venues and showing them some love.”
Kent Police received multiple reports of criminal damage last night.
A police spokesperson said: “Reports stated that several windows of businesses in York Street, Queen Street, King Street and High Street, Ramsgate, had been smashed with a metal pole.
“Officers attended the scene. This morning a 39 year old man was arrested in Harbour Parade in connection with the incidents. He remains in custody whilst enquiries continue.”
‘Chaos’
East Thanet MP Polly Billington said: “A small number of individuals can cause chaos for a whole community and the damage and distress causing by this wanton destruction will be felt by the whole of Ramsgate, not just the businesses directly affected.
“I have written to the police asking for reassurance that they can tackle this, but I know this isn’t a matter for the police alone. That is why I am calling on all the agencies who have any responsibility or power to tackle this to get together to agree a Ramsgate-wide plan that deals not just with the consequences but also the causes of this destructive behaviour.
“Tackling crime and antisocial behaviour is one of my biggest priorities in Thanet, and I welcome the introduction of new named officers, the recruitment of additional police locally, and extra funding that has been provided by the government.
“Now we need to join up the dots and ensure that everyone is working together to keep Ramsgate’s streets safe and our high streets thriving.”
Great to see Ramsgate’s Green Cllrs supporting local businesses- as usual
What an inane comment.
what an inane comment.
So original. Firstly, start a sentence with a capital Letter, secondly, imitation is a form of flattery.
Far more words blowing their own trumpets than actually talking about the damage.typical of politicians at all levels
Still think I exaggerate about how bad Ramsgate has become?
In a word Yes
Yet anotheer inane comment.
Just one ignorant pathetic individual who should be named and shamed and made to publicly apologise in person to every shopkeeper affected by his mindless actions
This is perhaps a case where a community sentence would be more appropriate – provided it is working 40 hours a week for a year in and around Ramsgate town centre with a broom, shovel and rubbish cart.
If he fails to complete the task then it is a year inside and £1,000 compensation for every window he broke.
Ramsgate town centre is NOT a great place to be. I would not feel safe going out there in the day or night.
Well, I feel sorry for you Topcat. Perhaps you need some sort of help, if you actually do feel that way, rather than just trying to bad mouth the area.
I agree, ramsgate is nice until you can no longer see the sea. Then you need eyes in the back of your head to spot the lowlife gearing up to give you a hard time.
That is completely untrue. However, that wouldn’t fit your narrative, would it?
I was in the town centre last night with some friends.
It was lovely to see so many folk about, young and old, enjoying themselves peacefully.
Have you been to the tunnels?
Checksfield , What took you so long to discover Ramsgate Tunnels which most certainly is a gem of Ramsgate ?
I was terrified of visiting Ramsgate! Turns out its probably the safest part of the town.
Checksfield , I’m pleased that you enjoyed your visit to Ramsgate Tunnels so have you thought about volunteering there ,?
Sadly, I really don’t have the spare time. Otherwise I’d seriously consider it.
i cannot believe this , ramsgate the arts centre of the universe , you would expect this behaviour in a run down , drug ridden , town full of low lifes , not the jewel in the karsy that is ramsgate
Ramsgate has drunks and open drug dealing around York Street, Daily. The same group of low-lifes, every single day. Stop and search, prosecute and lock them up. They’re a blight on the town centre.
Some of the Ramsgate town council want to get their heads out of the sand , Ramsgate is a dangerous place to be now,day or night ,
What absolute nonsense. I’ve never seen nor had any trouble in Ramsgate day or night. I hear there are problems outside the bars on the harbour at chucking out time, but show me a place where this isn’t true. Young and old, male and female, are visible walking round the town enjoying themselves. Where do you get your ‘facts’ from?
There were both police and security dealing with an altercation at the market just yesterday, and I witnessed myself open drug-taking in King Street on Monday afternoon as kids were getting off a bus from school.
Stop taking drugs then.
Idiot.
You been to the tunnels? They’re great!
Totally agree Phil ; I have never had a problem in the town centre then again I don’t hang around the harbour at 2.30 in the morning.
Why have private security been hired to patrol ramsgate during daylight hours then?
https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2025/12/08/first-weeks-results-in-shoplifters-foiled-and-a-successful-missing-person-search-for-security-officers-on-patrol-in-ramsgate/
No, it’s not.
Rubbish comment.
Wow, 35 years old & running around smashing windows.
39 actually
These things happen in broken Britain every day across the country, it’s lost its news value. What I am more interested in, if these two councillors claimed expenses for their little trip. I am aware of a councillor, not one of these two (who were looking for a photo opportunity). The councillor in question went into a local Spar shop, selected a small packet of chewing gum, when he went to the till, paid and asked for a receipt, the lady knew him as a local councillor, so addressed him by his first name. His response, “I need the receipt to claim back this as meal while visiting a local constituent”!!!! That’s the level of these kind of people, only in it for what they can cream off taxpayers.
No idea when the incident you refer to happened but I very doubt any of today’s councillors would claim for a meal when visiting a resident.
Isn’t there a police station across ghe road? Good work guys…..
If the newly boarded up window on the police station is anything to go by, it looks like they were one of the targets!
Both these councillors were in the town helping to clear up and exploring ways to support the repair costs. Where were you?
These kind of people are decent Green councillors. I have to ask myself what kind of person are you?
Indeed. Meanwhile, where is East Thanet’s Labour MP? Has she even commented on the Scenic Railways closing?
I was thinking that too !
Emmeline – helping clear up and support for repair costs! Self promotion I think with local elections coming up!
There are no local elections coming up here.
That’s what I thought!
The fact it’s illegal to carry any type of self defence here in the UK [pepper spray][Taser/stun gun] or even a small [9mm Glock] you wouldn’t catch be out around the town in Ramsgate after 9pm.
I’ve been to many places in the world where it would be a death wish not to carry and I think the UK is heading exactly the same way – not just Ramsgate
Jimmy daisy used to do that to get a bed for the winter back in the 80s . Lock um up mindless vandals .
Ramsgate perminantly stinks of weed, is covered in dog poo and the open drink and drug use is shocking.
The lack of self discipline (why should I work and pay taxes) and respect for others (my benefits are your responsibility because I’m worth it) are actively supported by magistrates that offer a seventeenth chance before imposing effective punishments.
Bring back the borstal! And national service. Oh, I probably sound like a disgusting fascist now.
There is a derelict public phone bow outside St Paul’s church in Northdown Road which is entirely used by antisocial drunks and drug addicts most of the day to jack up and use their illegal drugs. I don’t think a single call has been made from it in years since it was broken into for the coins. The police asked BT to remove it along with the Parish and TDC officers but they refused, so please inform us how it can be done other than a truck driving through it.