Private security guards have been drafted in to patrol a town during the summer holidays and help crack down on badly-behaved teens.
Akon Security has been awarded an £8,500, six-week-long contract to assist council enforcement teams and police in Herne Bay.
It comes after multiple incidents of anti-social behaviour – with youths targeting foreign students, tourists, the elderly and wildlife.
Akon boss Oli Nonis told KentOnline such projects were “not particularly common” but hoped his staff would act as a “visible deterrent” to potential troublemakers.
He said about the scheme: “It’s just in relation to the summer holidays and recent events in the area.
“The idea is to offer something extra to the town, and the guys are just there to be a visible deterrent and be an extra presence to provide reassurance.”
Anti-social behaviour has become a major issue in Herne Bay, with a public meeting held in June to discuss how to tackle “wannabe gangsters” terrorising the town.
Residents told how youths wearing black tracksuits with their faces covered race around on e-scooters or bikes – and are seen in groups around hotspots such as the Memorial Park, seafront and town centre.
The packed meeting at the King’s Hall heard that ducks were being killed with catapults, foreign students were being attacked and some people were now “scared to come out”.
Police have since been stepping up patrols and enforcing dispersal orders in Herne Bay and neighbouring Whitstable.
Now, Akon is joining the efforts.
Mr Nonis added: “I’ve wanted to do something like this for many years, and the council asked us to do it.
“It’s been going well – the team are building rapport with businesses and residents.”
The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner’s office has funded the project, which will help deliver 50 hours a week of extra community support to complement the work of Kent Police, Kent County Council (KCC) wardens and city council enforcement teams.
A team of two security guards, in Akon-branded uniforms, will work five days a week to help keep residents safe and prevent nuisance, though not Fridays and Saturdays, as police plan to increase their presence in the town on those days.
Akon workers cannot arrest anyone and will report any crimes straight to police. The role of its staff will be to gather intelligence to help assist officers.
City council bosses say they are “grateful” for the firm’s support.
“As an example of their work so far, while out and about on Wednesday, they witnessed a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian,” a spokesperson said.
“They remained on site with members of the public, offering reassurance until the police arrived and will be providing witness statements to support any action.”
District Commander for Canterbury, Chief Inspector Paul Stoner, said: “Being visible is the bedrock of Kent Police’s neighbourhood policing model, with community-focused beat teams as well as officers working with licensed premises dedicated to keeping 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.”
The PCC’s office added: “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 £8,500 was provided to Canterbury’s CSP in order that they can respond to seasonal anti-social behaviour in the coastal area of Herne Bay.
“The CSP are responsible for deciding how these funds will be spent.”
