Brawl on Broadstairs beach prompts locals to consider 'taking a stand'

This is the moment a brawl erupted on a Kent beach with two topless men trading blows while a baying crowd circles them.

The video captured the brutes swinging at each other on the Broadstairs boardwalk as they were surrounded by dozens of screaming youths.

Some of the crowd can be seen climbing on nearby beach huts to get a better view of the fight,while others took selfies and egged on the brawlers.

Police arrived on the litter-strewn seafront once the fight had eventually dispersed. A spokesperson for Kent Police told Metro that officers were called to a report of a disturbance involving approximately 50 people,shortly before 3pm.

An onlooker captured the mass brawl on the beach (Picture: Facebook / Curtis Mulcare)

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.The onlooker who filmed the altercation wrote on social media that there was ‘no sign of any law and order’ in the area.‘Is it time for the locals to form a groups of volunteers to take matters into our own hands and get these f****** urchins dealt with,’ he asked.‘The police just drive [around] in cars totally ineffective.‘We can’t tolerate this b******* and if we don’t make some kind of stand then people will stop coming here.’The fight,on June 21,came just a day after Kent Police announced it had implemented a Section 34 dispersal order in Broadstairs to ‘disrupt antisocial behaviour’.The order gives police additional powers to instruct people to leave an area and anyone who returns risks being arrested.One person falls to the floor during the fight (Picture: Facebook / Curtis Mulcare)The Kent Police spokesperson told Metro that following the fight on the beach,a 17-year-old boy was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer. He was bailed with conditions to attend Maidstone Youth Court at a later date.They added: ‘Four teenagers,two boys aged 16,a 17 year old boy and a 15 year old girl were also arrested on suspicion of offences relating to public order,assault and criminal damage. They have been released on bail pending further enquiries.’Chief Inspector Ian Swallow said: ‘Broadstairs is a beautiful place for local residents and visitors,and we are determined to keep it that way.‘That is why,in response to the weekend’s incidents,we made a number of arrests and brought in dispersal orders to break up the large groups of youths causing issues last week.‘We will continue to investigate the incidents to bring offenders to justice and we are working to ensure extra patrols are in the area over the summer to deter further incidents in future.’In a press release online,the force said the weekend’s dispersal order was put in place ‘due to ongoing concerns relating to issues caused by a small minority of young people in some public areas,including the town centre and beaches. These have included under-age street drinking,fighting and reports of aggressive behaviour towards staff at shops.’Locals have been calling on Thanet Council and Kent Police to tackle a ‘growing tide of antisocial abuse’ in the Broadstairs area.A Change.org petition,with almost 5,000 signatures at the time of writing,says since the beginning of last week,the town had seen a ‘surge in violent crime’,including ‘underage street drinking,fighting on the beaches and at at the train station,shoplifting,and vandalism’.It calls for enhanced police powers,extended dispersal zones throughout the summer months,stronger sanctions for repeat offenders and increased police patrols.One resident responded to the petition,writing: ‘Local people don’t expect this disgraceful behaviour. Broadstairs residents [deserve] better!’Another commented: ‘Broadstairs will totally lose its reputation as a family resort.’