by Nick Evans

A shopkeeper claims children as young as four are among large gangs running wild late in the evening, making life a misery for him and folk nearby.
John Benlachen, who runs the greengrocery and mini-market in Leysdown Road, Leysdown, was attacked in his shop by teenagers a year ago.
He says the situation has since got worse with groups of up to 40 youngsters at a time hanging around by the main road getting high on drink and drugs.
He said: “These youngsters are aged anywhere between four and 20 years old. It’s shocking that some so young are out late at night or even into the early hours. I blame some of the visitors who simply want to get to their chalets and then just let their kids run out of control.”
Although he has made a full recovery from last year’s attack, when he was hit around the head with a belt, Mr Benlachen still worries about his business.
He visits his shop two or three times a night after closing to make sure nobody has tried to break in.
More than once, he has found someone has tried to smash the back door in an unsuccessful attempt to steal stock which includes drink and cigarettes.
He said: “I’ve lost all faith in the police. There’s little point calling them if anything were to happen. When I was attacked last year, it took three days before anybody came to see me about it.
“I would like to see more patrols in the evenings and at weekends when most of the trouble happens. PCSOs have little authority and the kids know it, so sending them out here is a complete waste of time and money.
“The trouble begins when local and visiting kids show off to each other. They start drinking and I’ve smelt the drugs they take as well. There can be groups of 30 or 40 at a time hanging about outside until 2am sometimes.”
Other business owners, who preferred not to be named, echoed Mr Benlachen’s claims.

Police response

Island neighbourhood inspector Dave Applegate said: “Police regularly engage with people in Leysdown and we haven’t been made aware of any problems concerning groups of young people. “We recently delivered questionnaires to all local residents asking them to tell us what their concerns were and received more than 100 replies.
“From this, the current PACT priorities for police to deal with were decided. The three main concerns for the people of Leysdown are dog fouling, littering and street lighting.
“I would urge people to talk to us if there are other things they think we should be dealing with. Leysdown PCSO Kurt Bryson can be seen regularly on patrol in the area.”
He can be contacted on 07772 226119 or via the Island Neighbourhood Team on 01795 584065.