Podcast: Herne Bay residents want action over 'wannabe gangsters' terrorising the town with anti-social behaviour

People in Herne Bay have been left living in fear as the town is increasingly plagued by violent and anti-social youths branded “wannabe gangsters”.

A public meeting has been called for later this month, where police and councillors will face questions from fed-up residents and businesses desperate for action.

Also in today’s podcast, the owner of an indoor adventure centre says he will ban for life the person responsible for causing thousands of pounds of damage to a SEN feature.

Bosses say the area of Adventure Kidz at Aylesford’s Quarry Wood Retail Park will cost around £2,500 to fix. 

You can hear from workers at a charity shop who have revealed their “constant battle” against thieves as clothes, shoes and even furniture handles are stolen.

Staff at Making a Difference to Maidstone describe the surge in shoplifting as a “slap in the face”, amid a 55% increase in thefts over the last four years.

Organisers of a decades-old village fete were left stunned after being asked to pay out almost £2,000 for security staff.

The parish council has stepped in to save the annual event in Hawkhurst, but has had to blow 60% of its annual community events budget on hiring the six guards to enable it to go ahead.

And eighty traders have already signed up to join Kent’s largest indoor market ahead of its opening later this month.

The former Wilko store in Folkestone town centre is being turned into the county’s second Petticoat Lane Emporium.