A community campaigner has called for more bobbies on the beat after two shop fronts were smashed in a town centre vandalism spree.

The windows of Maison Classique Emporium and Demelza Hospice Care for Children in William Street, Herne Bay, were damaged late on Sunday, August 19.

Nigel Hancock, the chairman of the Herne Bay Coastal Community Team, believes a lack of uniformed police patrolling the streets has allowed antisocial behaviour to flourish in the town.

“There is a feeling among some folk in Herne Bay that they are invincible; there is a subculture here that isn’t particularly pleasant,” he said.

“The police are probably doing the best they can, but we do need more of a visible presence on the streets because that is a deterrent we know works.

“Not PCSOs, though, because kids don’t respect them as they know their powers are limited. You see it sometimes on the seafront as kids jeer and shout at them – they’re not deterred by them at all.”

Police inspector Vicki Tyler said there had been an increase in the number of PCSOs covering Herne Bay, whose work is “supported as much as possible by high visibility police patrols”.

Following last week’s destruction, Linda Cameron, the owner of Maison Classique Emporium, called for action to be taken or risk losing visitors and small businesses.

Mr Hancock also warned acts such as these “could be enough to sink a small retailer”.

“The businesses themselves go a long way to try to increase footfall to ensure their survival and it only takes one small act of vandalism, one relatively minor act of antisocial behaviour, to eliminate all the good work somebody has done over the year,” he said.

“We all know the retail sector is suffering dreadfully and businesses in Herne Bay are no different; so that could be enough to sink a small retailer.

“If people witness this kind of behaviour they could be deterred from visiting and they won’t want to come back in the future.”

Mr Hancock added he believes “there’s a sighing acceptance that this is how life is” among those in Herne Bay.

“We’ve got to look after the town,” he continued. “If it means they jump on a train to Whitstable to cause trouble then let Whitstable handle it.”

Last year, Mr Hancock suggested businesses should pay for a private security firm to patrol the streets.

Insp Tyler insisted anti-social behaviour “is not welcome in Herne Bay”, but added police had to deploy officers when and where they are most needed.

“Kent Police is committed to providing a visible presence for all communities but it is important that we focus our resources on the key times and places where the demand is highest,” she said.

“All our calls will be prioritised accordingly to the level of threat, harm and risk to the victim, and in some cases like these, where life is not in danger and the crime is not in progress, immediate attendance is not always appropriate.

“We know that any experiences of anti-social behaviour or vandalism can be upsetting and disruptive to both residents and those running a business in Herne Bay and our message is clear – it is not welcome in Herne Bay.”

Insp Tyler also urged local businesses to join the Canterbury District Watch radio scheme, which allows staff to share information with the police and CCTV control room.