MORE than 200 youngsters held a bonfire on a Kent beach leaving a trail of smashed alcopop bottles in their wake.

The noisy gathering of eight to 15-year-olds is the latest in more than 120 incidents of criminal damage on the Slopes at Tankerton recorded by beach hut owners since the Whitstable Gazette first highlighted the problem almost a year ago.

Beach huts have been damaged and owners have found evidence of drug and alcohol abuse, while people living near by say they are too scared to go near the beach after dark.

They fear there will be an under-age sexual assault or drug overdose unless the situation is improved.

Now a group representing the Tankerton Bay Beach Hut Owners Association are demanding action from the authorities before someone is seriously hurt.

Witnesses report children as young as eight taking part in night-time rampages but say police seem powerless to act.

Acting police inspector Maria Spanton, from the Public Safety Unit, said: “The beach huts on Tankerton slopes are inherently difficult to patrol due to their layout.

“Unfortunately this is not a new problem and one that is highlighted on an annual basis.

“The beach huts form one part of the wider policing issues in east Kent. Patrols are undertaken in the area where resources are available.”

She said hut owners should consider increased security measures and could get advice from crime reduction officer PC Dale Lowes at Herne Bay police station on 01227 762055.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S WHITSTABLE GAZETTE