Beach hut owners say their seaside cabins are "looking more like fortresses" as they rally around to guard them from thieves.

The group has branded it the "worst winter" of crime after a spree of break-ins and vandalism in Tankerton, near Whitstable.

And it is claimed there have been more than 50 separate crime incidents in the area over the past year.

Most recently, up to 11 shacks were damaged or broken in to between Tuesday and Wednesday.

One of those targeted belongs to Gorrell ward councillor Chris Cornell.

"This is the second time in three years our hut has been turned over," the Labour Party member said.

"However, without electricity we cannot hook up cameras or lights to scare people away.

"I think the council should be giving advice on how to best secure the huts and how they can help people with reporting."

Tankerton Bay Beach Hut Owners Association is concerned about the recent wave of crime.

A member from the group, who did not wish to be named, estimates about a quarter of its members have been "screwed over" by the crimes in the past six months.

But they say not all of the incidents are being reported to police.

"The beach huts are looking more like fortresses than beach huts," they said.

"But the problem in many cases is unsubstantial security.

"You are going to have to put CCTV down there, which is a bit of a bummer as you will need lighting with it, or you will have to fence it off.

"They’re going down there and ripping off the locks, bolts and security bars but they’re not really stealing anything when they’re breaking in."

Most of the crimes over the past year have been break-ins, according to the association.

The member added: "It’s probably the worst winter I have experienced.

"We are probably getting [a break-in] every four days.

"This just seems to be stupid damage and a challenge to authority as they have nothing else to do."

Tankerton councillor Neil Baker spoke with police last week about the issue "investigating and discussing ways" of tackling the recent crimes.

"There have been break-ins and graffiti at the beach huts - and although it isn’t immediately recent, it has been increasing over time," the Conservative said.

"There has been talk of using cameras but it is a problematic area as there is no light and people who want to cause problems can be obscured.

"It’s working out if we can use any of the rural crime prevention tactics which could be quite suitable as you don’t have a huge number of people walking past.

"The break-ins and graffiti are fairly regular now."

A Canterbury City Council spokesman says the authority is "naturally concerned" to hear about the recent spate of break-ins at the beach huts in Whitstable.

"Our officers have spoken to the police and we strongly support their advice to hut owners to sign up to the police's My Community Voice initiative, which allows for regular communication between the force and members of the scheme," they said.

"Through this, the police send out information on crime prevention advice and current crime trends, while the public can report and raise issues that are affecting them.

"The police are planning a meeting to discuss the recent break-ins and anti-social behaviour, and details will be promoted via My Community Voice. The beach hut associations have also been contacted with the same advice."

A police spokesman confirmed the force is investigating after a number of beach huts near Marine Parade, Tankerton were damaged or broken into between 5pm on Tuesday, January 31 and 8am on Wednesday, February 1.

Two more similar incidents on January 15 to huts near Island Wall, Whitstable and January 17 near Marine Parade, Tankerton have also been reported to officers who are investigating.

The spokesman added: "Canterbury's Community Safety Unit is working with partner agencies - including Canterbury City Council - to review CCTV in the area and ensure the seafront is secure.

"Beach hut owners are advised to fit strong locks to doors, not to keep valuables in their huts while away, and to report burglaries, criminal damage or any other offences as soon as possible after they take place, using the Kent Police website or calling 999 if a crime is in progress."

Anyone with information on the January 31 incident is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/20172/23 or for the January 15 and January 17 incidents to quote reference 46/10769/23.