Three-year alcohol ban imposed on two English seaside towns after rampaging youths spark chaos

A three-year-long alcohol ban is set to be imposed on the city centres of two much-loved Kent seaside towns.

Thanet District Council is set to roll out a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle a spate anti-social behaviour by the sea.

Margate and Ramsgate town centres will now have to endure a year-round blanket ban on the public consumption of alcohol, set to come into effect on Wednesday.

Areas of Margate, Cliftonville West, Ramsgate and Broadstairs will also see crackdowns on anti-social behaviour relating to alcohol and not handing over alcohol when required to do so.

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The PSPO, which was approved last week, will tackle "alcohol-related disorder, public urination, and defecation" in the area, according to Thanet District Council.

Councillor Mike Garner said the decision to approve the ban was a "no-brainer".

He said: "It's a very difficult issue. One PSPO or other law enforcements on their own don't solve this, it's a societal issue."

While Labour MP for East Thanet, Polly Billington, said: "It's vital for our economy that people feel confident about keeping their doors open to their shop, and actually, [it's vital] for the wellbeing of our residents and our visitors that everybody feels safe."

The restrictions have been implemented after a 30-day public consultation which received over 370 responses from residents, business, and community groups.

Those responses were considered alongside evidence from the council's Community Safety team and the Kent Police.

The issue of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour has skyrocketed since last summer, the council says.

Kent Police, meanwhile, revealed it had issued over 250 community protection warnings (CPWs) and notices (CPNs) this year to curb anti-social behaviour.

This notably included a beach fight in Margate on June 24 which led to an arrest and a ban from Thanet for the summer.

The force has made 66 arrests in connection to anti social-behaviour in 2026.

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Nearby Broadstairs has been forced to endure crowds, often organised through social media events called "link-ups", descending on the town during the warm weather.

Just as they did last summer, locals believe many of the youths travel by train from London and the Medway towns to wreak havoc on the coast.

Shops were forced to close and remove alcohol from shelves amid reports of theft and attempts to purchase drinks using fake IDs just weeks ago.

Officers have now had to spend time "monitoring social media" for posts promoting gatherings that could spark further trouble.

Businesses in Kent confirmed to the BBC they had been forced to close early due to anti-social behaviour.

Kent Police noted there had also been fights on the beach in Broadstairs and an assault at Margate Railway Station.

Supt Rob Marsh said the use of CPWs and CPN gave "persistent troublemakers" the opportunity to address their behaviour and potentially avoid criminal action.

People who ignore the warnings, however, could be hauled to court and fined £2,500 for the violations.

Ch Insp Ian Swallow said: "It is unacceptable that a minority of troublemakers will ruin the enjoyment of others because they do not know how to behave, and we will not stand for it."

Councillor Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, previously said: "Our communities deserve safe, clean, and welcoming public spaces, and this overwhelming support shows how passionate local people are about protecting their environment."

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