Doormen in Canterbury are set to be given stab-proof vests following a spate of violent crime in the city.

Akon Security director Oli Nonnis is considering the move after three fights involving knives reportedly broke out in the space of six days.

It comes after his door staff reported seeing a brawl in the High Street involving two gangs of men armed with chains, a bat and a knife late on Thursday, July 11.

A doorman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “At about 11.30pm we had a call on the town radio noting there was a fight in Rose Lane where weapons were potentially being used.

“There was then a bit of a commotion near Metro Bank and they moved up the High Street.

“We saw chains being used, there was a bat there and there was definitely a knife; it was long and had serrated edges – it looked horrible.”

The incident sparked a late-night police helicopter search of the city and there were no reported injuries and a knife was not recovered.

The member of staff from Akon Security continued: “There was a separate incident at about 2am that night where we believe someone was harmed. Again, knives were being used.

“There was a group of nine males surrounding one man in the middle of Canterbury Lane. I heard one of them was slashed, but no arrests were made.”

He says there was another incident in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, July 6, where a woman was seen holding a knife during a fight near the McDonald’s in St George’s Street.

“The girl was screaming ‘I don’t want to go back to jail’,” he added.

In the wake of the crime spree last week, Mr Nonnis says incidents such as these in the city are becoming more common.

In January 2017 his doormen had to bundle a teenager to the ground outside the Cuban nightclub after he pulled a knife during an argument.

Mr Nonnis says he is considering ways to improve his doormen’s safety.

“It is worrying – it seems to be getting progressively worse,” he said.

“My reaction to hearing about this was I’ve got to start trying to invest in things like body armour for my staff.

“It’s something I never thought I’d have had to think about in Canterbury, but now you’ve got idiots running around.

“It’s very hard to combat an issue like this – which seems to be growing – when the resources the police have are limited.”

Police chiefs are linking a rise in drugs and violence to “the phenomenon of county lines organised crime”.

Our sister paper, the Kentish Gazette previously revealed the number of reported violent crimes in Canterbury in 2018 was the highest on record.

There were also a greater number of people caught with weapons - which can include guns, acid and knives - than any other year, while Kent has the fastest growing rate of knife crime in the country.

Chief Inspector Mark Weller said: “While it might be the case that violent crime is increasing, not just in Canterbury or even Kent, but across the country, we are not complacent towards people’s concerns and we maintain a zero-tolerance approach to knife crime.

"Earlier this year officers seized hundreds of weapons and in June 59 people were arrested in a county-wide crackdown on knife crime and associated offences, and that proactive work is still continuing.

“As part of our commitment to keep Canterbury safe, officers will always target and take robust action against those suspected of carrying knives or sharp weapons. Our officers have powers to stop and search those suspects, and will also make a point of patrolling areas of the city where suspicious behaviour is reported.

“Patrols also work with partner agencies to hold regular weapon sweeps in parks and public spaces, as well as community engagement events to educate people on the dangers of carrying a knife.

“It is encouraging that people like Mr Nonnis care about Canterbury as much as officers do and we encourage anyone involved with venues and businesses who have concerns about possible criminal activity to contact the Canterbury Community Safety Unit.”

Police investigations into the incident on Thursday continue.

They are urging anyone with information to call them on 01843 222289, quoting the reference number 46/133587/19. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

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