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A picturesque Kent seaside town is battening down the hatches for a summer of carnage after crowds of youths sparked disorder over the Bank Holiday weekend. Police arrested six people and deployed dispersal powers to tackle antisocial behaviour, underage drinking and criminal damage across Broadstairs and the wider Thanet area just days ago. Officers said they are now "monitoring social media" for posts promoting gatherings that could spark further trouble. The crowds, often organised through social media events called "link-ups" - like those seen in Clapham - descended on the town during the warm weather. Just as they did last summer , locals believe many of the youths travelled by train from London and the Medway towns. Shops were forced to close and remove alcohol from shelves amid reports of theft and attempts to purchase drinks using fake IDs. Maria Goldfinch, 44, who runs The New Old Bakehouse and tea rooms, told The Sun the Bank Holiday scenes were "the worst ever" in Broadstairs. Large crowds of young people blocked the streets, keeping regular customers and families away from her business. Ms Goldfinch revealed the bakehouse was left £1,000 down because of the unrest. "No one sat outside my tearoom because there was drinking, bad language. We had bottles thrown at us, footballs kicked at us. They were even skinning up joints," she said. And in a heartbreaking message, she said customers who had been visiting the town for years have vowed not to come back. Akshit Patel, 49, has run an off-licence in Broadstairs with his wife for 17 years - and said his shop came under siege. He accused youths of trying to steal alcohol, causing trouble, arguing, swearing and more. "They pushed me down," Mr Patel said. "Pushed me onto the floor. I've just had a hip replacement last month." SAVAGERY BY THE SEA - READ MORE: Two in hospital with knife wounds after mass brawl of THIRTY armed youths breaks out in Southend Police force hire private security firm to help keep seaside town safe from troublesome youths during school holidays Britain's violent crime capital named as around one in 20 people affected He and his wife suffered a similar attack last August. "It is scary," he said. "Last year, one of the girls, they punched my wife and punched me in August. They pulled her hair." He urged police to confiscate fake IDs from youngsters and said the town dreads the approaching summer holidays. Sue Brown, 76, who retired to Broadstairs a decade ago, said the crowds are damaging the town's reputation. She described the seaside hotspot as "a lovely town" but warned the carnage was giving it a bad name. A 79-year-old woman, who asked not to be named, said the youths were intimidating families rather than enjoying the beach. Her friend added: "The bottom line is we don't want them. How the hell can a group of young people hold a town in terror like that?" Labour MP for East Thanet Polly Billington said: "Residents and businesses have a right to feel safe. "My message is clear: Thanet will always be open for visitors, but we will never accept yobbish behaviour as the price of a successful summer." Chief Inspector Ian Swallow said Kent Police is tackling antisocial behaviour "head-on" with robust plans to minimise disruption. "Broadstairs is a beautiful seaside town and is understandably a popular place to visit. "We do not want to discourage people from coming here unless they are planning to cause a nuisance to others, which is unacceptable and will result in police action being taken against them," Mr Swallow said. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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