EXCLUSIVE Is THIS Britain's strictest seaside council? Popular towns hit with 'unfair' clampdown after beach brawls... but locals say 'it's not our fault'
Broadstairs in Kent has become a 'warzone' after a string of brawls have impacted the reputation of the 'beautiful' town.
Visitor numbers have plummeted and business is down this summer, according to locals and businesses.
In response, Thanet District Council is looking at bringing in a 'bizarre' scheme which sees those that use foul language get fined £100 in an effort to curb anti-social behaviour which has seen an Italian restaurant attacked and a huge beach fight.
The Thanet council ban would not just affect Broadstairs but also the neighbouring towns of Ramsgate and Margate which have also suffered from anti-social behaviour this year.
But furious residents and tourists believe they are being unfairly blamed for the rise in violence and antisocial behaviour.
The most shocking examples of violence include a huge fight on the beach last month which saw hundreds of youths brawl in the open air.
Terrifying footage shows the group surround two males who were throwing punches and slaps at each other on a walkaway behind a row of beach huts.
The brawl then spilled out onto sand where a baying mob screamed and seemed to urged the pair to carry on fighting. Horrified children and families ran for cover.
Another serious incident that has paralysed the close knit community this summer saw a gang of 30 youths surround and target a family-run Italian restaurant in the town.
They stormed towards staff at Sardinia, who had helped protect a youth who had been the victim of an assault outside the restaurant.
The gang throw a series of chairs at the building before a staff member chases one youth off.
In response, the council is looking to introduce fines for those caught swearing.
Avdi Kotarja, 39, manager of the restaurant, told Mail Online: 'It was awful. I was there that night, it was horrific. We were helping a guy who was getting attacked and stopped him from more pain and more beatings.
'That's how it all happened. They then came for us. It was terrifying.
'Some of the youths there that night who were involved walk around town as if nothing happened.
'Our customers are brilliant and we love Broadstairs. But there is certainly an issue here.
'I don't see how banning swearing will have any impact. It's bigger than that.'.
Patrick Deane, 76, has lived in the town all his life, and said he is worried about going out at night.
The retired builder said: 'It's a warzone. I don't feel safe. We don't see police but do have plenty of these private security people. The town has an edge to it as if it could kick off at any moment. I'm scared at night here.
'A lot of my friends feel the same. What is banning swearing going to do? That will end up targeting the wrong people? The people carrying out this violence are serious. They need a proper punishment.
'Not a fine for swearing. The plan is frankly insulting to those people who live and work here or those that have gone through this.'
Fellow residents John Corbett, 71, and Caroline Miners, 82, said the town had become 'lost to the gangs' and 'plagued by yobs.'
Mr Corbett, who has lived there for 20 years, said: 'It's so sad. I want Broadstairs to go back to what it was. A beautiful and pleasant place where people could relax and people played on the beach. Now people are scared.
'We get these private security people wandering around. You don't see many police. People are scared.
'It's all fueled by alcohol which is drank on the streets and drugs. The locals are great. We just want a nice time. It's caused by youths, some who live here and some from London.
'They think it's just a big play area to them.'
Caroline added: 'I've lived here 50 years and it's as bad as it has ever been. The authorities do not do anything worthwhile.
'Banning swearing is a joke. I genuinely thought people were having a laugh. We're talking about youths terrorising restaurants, family businesses, having huge organised fights and intimidating people.
'It's all fuelled by drinking. They've ruined beach huts which were beautiful. They're just destroying the area. People are staying away.
'This is further down the line and more serious than just some swearing. The people who suggested that are very naive.'
Despite the presence of council security who MailOnline saw prowling the promenade, Carole wanted to see more police. She said: 'They arrive to react. But we don't see them on patrol. That's what we need.'
Shop keeper Adrian Poulter, 56, said he had experienced 'numerous' problems with youths in recent months.
He said: 'Shoplifting this year has become a big issue. It never has before. I've had to ban groups in my shop. They just flood in and steal a lot of items and run off. It's terrible.
'I've had more shoplifting this year than in the last 10 years of being here. I don't think they're all local. They often film it and no doubt put it on social media.
'There is absolutely no respect. Bans on swearing will not work, they'll just laugh. It's an insane plan. The town is lost. I know businesses which have closed and people who have moved and won't come back. It's very sad.'
Liz and Graham Sage were visiting Broadstairs on Friday lunchtime from nearby Whitstable.
They visited the town the evening after the violence erupted at Sardinia.
Graham, 76, said: 'There was absolutely at atmosphere that evening we visited. Everyone was on an edge and that has not gone away. If anything, it has increased.
'It's youths from the town and those from outside. We have visited today in the day, I'm not sure we would want to come at night.'
Liz added: 'It's a huge shame. People work so hard around here. It's a beautiful area. I don't know what they will do to stop it.
'But some sort of swearing ban won't work. That would just become a huge joke. It's patronising. You've got private security people.
'But everyone wants more police.'
Councillor Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Community said: 'Antisocial behaviour can have a damaging effect on our local community. We've sadly seen situations in our public spaces recently which have escalated and we know that local people, visitors and businesses want more to be done to tackle this.
'The proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) aims to reduce antisocial behaviour and provide the vital tools which are needed to intervene. Without this, the ability of the police to respond to crime and disorder is impacted and crime, in the form of antisocial behaviour, increases.
'The specific behaviours referred to within the orders – including the reference to foul and abusive language – are all similar to the district's previous PSPO which was in place between 2018 and 2024. They mirror the same restrictions in place across many other districts and boroughs, including in other parts of Kent and the south east.
'To be clear, the restriction around language is not aimed at preventing free speech or swearing. Specifically the PSPO relates to 'using foul or abusive language within the hearing or sight of another person who is likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress by this'. This particular restriction is being proposed to address a significant issue in the areas covered by the PSPO. Evidence to support this has been provided by police, Ward Councillors and residents as well as business owners.
'The enforcement of this measure is not subjective. It involves an objective test and any antisocial behaviour will be judged against the impact on the reasonable person.
'We sought to implement a PSPO in similar terms to the one that it is currently proposed, in the summer of last year. Following a threat of legal challenge to that process, we decided to gather further evidence which indicates that the introduction of a restriction to address this issue is proportionate. We have also carried out a comprehensive consultation. The public and stakeholder response has again indicated overwhelming support for all of the proposed restrictions.
'As a result we will consider the proposed order when the Cabinet meets on Thursday 24 July to carefully consider the results of consultation and take a view. Subject to approval, we will seek to implement this as soon as possible.'
Superintendent Dan Carter of Kent Police, said: 'The decision to continue the dispersal orders in Thanet has been made to ensure that our coastline remains a safe place, and they are one of the several tools we're using to deal swiftly with antisocial behaviour as we move further into summer
'Orders remain in constant review and will be utilised as needed. I am continually grateful to residents and businesses for their support and feedback. By working closely with the community to identify their concerns, it means we can tackle those issues head on.
'I would also urge parents to speak to their children about the impact that antisocial behaviour can have on others. Antisocial behaviour can have serious consequences not only for victims, but for young people themselves, who may face police action or prosecution.'
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