Extra police officers will be patrolling part of a high street over the Christmas period following complaints from fed-up business owners who say they are "sick to death" of alcohol-fuelled fights and damage to their shops happening overnight.

Mark Kenneally, who runs The Daily Grind Cafe in Harbour Street in Ramsgate says the problem is "out of hand" as he often finds blood outside his outlet and has seen brawls break out every week since taking over two months ago.

The father-of-three has been forced to pay out more than £1,000 in this short period to have smashed windows replaced.

“The only security we have is the homeless people,” the 35-year-old said.

“People talk about the homeless being the problem but they are really not at all - it is the feral yobs full of alcohol. They are out of control.

"They get filled up with cheap booze then come along here to get a taxi and think it is funny to smash windows.

“We have only been here two months and our windows have been smashed twice.

“I’ve seen blood all over the ground outside the cafe, loads of fights and people weeing in doorways and on windows.”

Mr Kenneally, who is joint owner of the cafe with Julie Young, says more action should be taken to combat the issues.

“There are just not enough police officers in the area,” he added.

“If we know it is the same time every week, then so do the police - so why doesn’t an officer come down here for an hour or two?

"The last time my windows were smashed it was the homeless people who alerted me and tried to help me board it up."

In one incident in the early hours of Friday, December 7, a police officer was attacked after being called out to a report of a window bring smashed at about 1.20am.

A 25-year-old man from Westgate was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage as well as on suspicion of assaulting an officer while in the back of the police van.

But police say they are working to resolve the problem and will have additional officers in the area in the coming weeks.

Sergeant Steve Moat said: “Kent Police is committed to reducing anti-social behaviour in Ramsgate and regularly speaks to businesses and residents to hear their concerns and carry out proportionate enforcement action.

Officers carry out regular checks at licensed premises to ensure licensing conditions are being met and throughout the Christmas season there will be additional foot patrols in the Harbour Street area.

"By working with the local council, for example, a Public Space Protection Order has been put in place which covers the Central Harbour and Eastcliff wards – which includes Harbour Street - and this allows us extra powers to deal with issues that may arise, including issuing £80 fixed penalty notices.

"Officers also carry out regular checks at licensed premises to ensure licensing conditions are being met and throughout the Christmas season there will be additional foot patrols in the Harbour Street area to deal with issues appropriately.

"Anyone experiencing issues caused by anti-social behaviour is asked to report their concerns to us so we can take the necessary action.

"This can be done by contacting us on 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively a report can be made online or by visiting the Kent Police website."