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Police have been called out almost 700 times in one year to deal with anti-social behaviour in a trouble-hit neighbourhood.
The shocking statistics were revealed in licensing documents, submitted by Kent Police in response to a bid by a Ramsgate takeaway owner who wants to start selling alcohol.
Hakki Buyukertas, who owns Friends Fish Bar in King Street, is asking Thanet District Council for a licence to serve off-sales of booze.
But police warn the fish and chip shop is located in the troubled Central Harbour ward, which experiences one of the largest concentrations of anti-social behaviour across the whole district.
The force says it stems from a mix of youth-related offending as well as disorder caused by a cohort of rough sleepers.
“The night-time economy with regard to pubs and clubs also plays a part when hospitality is open. Alcohol is the key factor across all elements,” the police said in their representation to the council’s licensing sub-committee.
In the year starting October 2019, over the following 12 months there were 675 call-outs to the ward - despite lockdown being in place for some of the year as well as restrictions such as pubs being closed and the rule of six.
In the peak of summer in August, police had to deal with a staggering 90 reports of trouble over the four weeks.
Kent Police said: “The coronavirus pandemic saw much of 2020 in a national lockdown with subsequent local closures.
“However, the demand upon police in relation to anti-social behaviour remained high with an increase towards the end of the year.
“Police have taken numerous measures to crack down on the behaviour, from increased patrolling through to the use of dispersal orders and civil injunctions. Our partners from youth services are also engaged in outreach and diversionary tactics in the area.”
The force says granting an off-sales alcohol licence to the fish bar would be contradictory to the steps already undertaken by police and community groups.
Owner Mr Buyukertas, in a letter to the council prepared by Eurosafety International (ESI), admits the rise in crime is worrying, but disputes that it is all alcohol-related.
ESI said: “Nevertheless, we do not overlook the impact of alcohol consumption and this is an issue that Mr Buyukertas wants to tackle by developing a responsible ethos.
“Since opening its doors, there has not been a problem caused by his patrons as far as we are concerned. Nevertheless, we have made robust arrangements to avoid any problems.”
He says he will not promote alcohol consumption in any way, but simply allow customers to buy it with their food.
He adds that a CCTV system would be put in place, and he will refuse sales to anyone who appears intoxicated.
Last year, police vowed to stop a garage in West Cliff Road - in the same ward - from getting a licence to sell booze 24/7.
Extra patrols and dispersal orders were also used last year in response to concerns about the significant levels of anti-social behaviour.
The town centre has been suffering problems for some time and last year traders warned it was becoming a ‘no-go’ zone due to a gang of intimidating youths.
