Reports of anti-social behaviour have dropped across Kent - but is still an issue for some towns. - video Dailymotion

KentOnline / KMTV

Business owners say they're losing trade along Northdown Road in Cliftonville, warning anti-social behaviour is becoming a common sight throughout the day

Transcript

00:00Fly-tipping, drug use and intimidation. These are just some of the behaviours

00:04worrying residents in Margate. Many say the problem is getting worse and not

00:09enough is being done to stop it. A business owner here in Northdown Road

00:14started a petition to sort out the anti-social behaviour and it's already

00:18surpassed its initial goal of 1,000 signatures. They hope that this is going

00:22to be enough to grab the council's attention and enough to make change.

00:26Walking along Northdown Road, the signs of anti-social behaviour are hard to miss.

00:30From dumped rubbish to vandalised shopfronts, locals told me they're

00:34worried about the future of their high street.

00:37It feels dirty when you see the fly-tipping and as I say you know you

00:41can't feel threatened by the people who've had too much to drink.

00:45There's quite a few customers who sort of, if they're hovering outside our shop,

00:49they don't, they walk off and then they might come back in five minutes

00:54because they're sitting down there with blankets and smoking and dealing, unfortunately.

01:01People don't want to come to the high street, you know, they're scared.

01:05A lot of older people come in and say they're actually frightened to come out on the streets

01:10and they're getting accosted going into the shops, asking for money.

01:13It's more than I get out of my car, straight away, have you got some money?

01:16But while locals say anti-social behaviour has increased in recent months,

01:21Kent Police say reports have actually decreased over the past two years.

01:25Kent Police say they have already issued a man with a community protection notice in the area

01:30to prohibit harassing, being drunk in public and other anti-social behaviour,

01:35with plans to issue more if necessary.

01:37These orders, they say, are part of a wider effort to address the mental health,

01:42drug misuse and housing issues.

01:44In regard to Thanet District Council, they say they're working closely with the police

01:49to tackle these issues, while encouraging those on the street into safe accommodation.

01:53Local councillor Barry Manners believes stronger action is needed.

01:57You know, these are small businesses on wafer-thin margins.

02:01They're not multinational companies.

02:02These are people that are employing, you know, have a handful of employees.

02:06They're part of a local community and they deserve our support and protection.

02:12And at the moment, they're being failed by the council and they're being failed by the police.

02:16While authorities say steps are being taken to tackle anti-social behaviour,

02:21some residents and local councillors feel more needs to be done.

02:25With concerns about safety, policing and community support still present,

02:29the challenge is now rebuilding trust and addressing the root causes.

02:33Kristen Hawthorne, KMTV, Moorgate.

Reports of anti-social behaviour have dropped across Kent - but is still an issue for some towns.

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