Work to tackle antisocial behaviour achieving results in Thanet

Robust action to tackle and prevent antisocial behaviour contributed to another enjoyable weekend in Thanet’s coastal towns.

Increased patrols by Kent Police officers and the use of enforcement measures including dispersal notices and Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) are having a positive impact in Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate, with the majority of visitors able to enjoy the warm weather without it being ruined by troublemakers.

Between Friday 10 and Sunday 12 July 2026 there were no incidents on the beaches that required anyone to be arrested, and officers had no need to disperse anybody from any of the towns. Three people received penalty notices for breaching the new Public Spaces Protection Order by drinking alcohol in public, including two on Margate beach and one in Ramsgate High Street.

Pleasing

Chief Inspector Ian Swallow, district commander for Thanet, said:

‘It is really pleasing to see that our message is getting through, and people know they will be dealt with if they come to Thanet intent on causing antisocial behaviour. ‘Our coastal towns are about building sandcastles, going for an ice cream and having fun in the arcades. That is what we saw at the weekend, as we do most of the time, rather than people fighting, getting drunk and being abusive. ‘We are however not complacent, and will continue to have a high visibility presence throughout the rest of the summer to ensure we can respond to any trouble quickly and decisively. ‘For the meantime I would like to thank everyone who continues to visit our beautiful coastal towns and behaves in a responsible manner. You are always welcome to come back.’

Dispersal notices

Between 1 May and 1 July 2026, officers in Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate recorded 219 dispersal notices requiring suspects to either leave an area or face arrest if they refused or returned later.

Fourteen CPWs were issued in the same period and 17 home visits to reported offenders took place, with 42 letters sent to households as part of the clampdown on nuisance behaviour.