Seaside town terrorised by kids as young as eight hires private security firm to tackle gangs

Private security guards have been hired to patrol a tranquil seaside town during the school holidays in an attempt to curb children causing havoc. In Herne Bay, Kent, locals and businesses claim that groups of children have been shoplifting, hurling abuse, throwing objects, and even using catapults on animals in the park.

Akon Security has now been granted an £8,500 contract to assist council enforcement officers in tackling this anti-social behaviour (ASB). Heena Thakkar, 49, who runs a corner shop on the high street, says she has been terrorised by these children for years, but things are starting to improve with the new patrols.

She said: "We have had problems with them but with the new patrols it has gotten a lot better. They come to check on my shop at least two times a day. We had kids coming in a little gang, and they are only about eight or 10 years old. They would always steal stuff.

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"They would also throw eggs and fruit at our doors. They were always lobbing trolleys at the windows. This was going on for four months, then they started killing ducks in the park.

"I would call the police but there is not a concrete solution because they weren't allowed to do anything. They know it is in the law that we can't touch them, and they challenge you on it."

A packed gathering at the town's King's Hall in June exposed the intense sentiment surrounding ASB in the area, with hundreds of residents turning out to voice their concerns. Speakers revealed that youngsters hanging about in trouble spots such as the Memorial Park, seafront and town centre have left some residents too frightened to venture from their homes.

However, locals remain split on tackling the issue - with some advocating tough discipline, whilst others champion providing more recreational opportunities. Fiona Thompson, 55, who grafts in a charity shop where donations are repeatedly vandalised, reckons the council ought to be bankrolling additional activities rather than security measures.

She said: "They are quite clever, they wait until I am busy with a customer then go to the corner where I can't see them and steal. The main problem is that there is nothing to do in Herne Bay. They are just bored, and their parents can't afford to pay for activities for them.

"We should be targeting the parents, finding out what their kids like, and funding the activity. If they had something to do which was constructive then they wouldn't be terrorising the pubic."

Her colleague, who preferred to stay nameless, revealed: "If anyone ever leaves donations when we are closed then the bags are destroyed and stink of urine.

"Theft has skyrocketed despite having cameras in place. These youngsters couldn't care less that we've got them. They nick around 50 items monthly, costing us several hundred pounds in takings. Most of our volunteers are elderly or vulnerable, so even when they witness something happening, there's little they can actually do."

Kamal Virdi, 59, who operates a vape shop on the high street, revealed he has also faced numerous incidents with the troublesome gang. He said: "There is a group of around four or five kids that come up here on their e-scooters. I have thrown them out of the shop a few times.

"They are loud, and they come in the shops to try and steal stuff about two or three times a week. There are a lot of elderly people being terrorised by yobs. But there isn't anything that they can do."

Another retailer, who preferred to stay unnamed, advocated for a tougher stance on the issue - demanding stricter measures. The toy merchant, aged in his 50s, declared: "I don't think the police have tackled this as well as they could, but the parents are the problem.

"The kids don't need love and affection they need discipline and hard facts. The parents should be fined, and the kids should be made to apologise to the people they hurt.

"These kids have got to learn that their actions have consequences. If it is not tackled soon then there will be vigilantes out there. The security is just for summer so the kids will go underground for six weeks then start causing problems again."

A colleague, who wished to remain anonymous for her safety, shared: "They are always out there on their bikes. We get a lot of verbal abuse, especially the female staff. They are just out to cause trouble. We had to stop selling marbles because they were using them to load their catapults. It is always the same group of about six kids."

But not everyone in the community views these youngsters as troublemakers; some locals believe the reaction is overblown. An unnamed local remarked: "We live in a namby pamby society where kids playing conkers is seen as dangerous. Once upon a time kids playing football was just that, now it is a gang.

"You can find ASB anywhere if you look for it, this is just people getting offended easier. This new security hire is like handing out buckets on the titanic. I don't think the police can fix it, there has to be a societal shift."

To combat the issue, two security guards donning Akon-branded uniforms will patrol the streets five days a week, with police ramping up their presence on Fridays and Saturdays. Although Akon personnel can't make arrests, they will serve as a deterrent, aiding officers and promptly reporting crimes to the police.

The initiative, which aims to support the efforts of Kent Police, Kent County Council wardens, and city council enforcement teams, has received funding from the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner's office.

A spokesperson for the Police and Crime Commissioner outlined the allocation of funds for community safety, stating: "As part of the Police and Crime Commissioner's Commissioning Budget, Crime Reduction Grants are made available to each of the County's Community Safety Partnerships, (CSP). Canterbury CSP is one of these recipients.

"As part of these grants an additional £8500 was provided to Canterbury's CSP in order that they can respond to seasonal ASB in the coastal area of Herne Bay. The CSP are responsible for deciding how these funds will be spent."

The spokesperson also highlighted the conditions attached to the funding: "As with all grants the requirement is that the grant is used to deliver community safety projects in line with the PCC's Police and Crime Plan."

They added that the PCC's grant aims to enhance community support: "The PCC's grant will focus on community engagement, support and visible re-assurance for communities to compliment both policing and local council statutory functions."

Oli Nonis, the boss at Akon security, confirmed their involvement: "We can confirm that we have been contracted to support local efforts in addressing ASB in Herne Bay."

Nonis expressed pride in contributing to local safety initiatives: "As a business with strong ties to the community and a background in professional security services, we're pleased to be involved in a project that prioritises safety and community reassurance."

Chief inspector Paul Stoner, district commander for Canterbury, emphasised the importance of police visibility: "Being visible is the bedrock of Kent Police's neighbourhood policing model, with community-focused beat teams as well as officers working with licenced premises dedicated to keep the town and surrounding areas safe and enjoyable for all.

"Partnership working with other agencies including Canterbury City Council is well-established and any initiative introduced by a partner organisation aimed at making an area safer will be supported appropriately."