Despairing owners of a sleepy village newsagents have said they are being terrorised by feral children who have threatened to attack them with acid and plastic knives.
Staff at the shop in Medway, Kent, claim they receive daily verbal abuse from the yobs and say they have had display stands thrown at them as the initial threats of violence continues to grow more real.
The family-run business, which has been operating for nearly twenty years, has faced a surge in anti-social behaviour in recent months, they say.
The owner of the store, who wishes to remain anonymous, says police rarely show up despite them reporting the incidents – and that the yobs are encouraged by this.
One youth is alleged to have threatened someone with a plastic knife, sparking fears in the owners that a real blade could soon be used if the groups are not quickly deterred.
‘We’ve always had some kind of trouble, but I think it’s gotten worse now because people can’t reprimand kids,’ the owner said.
‘There’s no discipline in schools and it just overspills onto the streets. They think they can do what they want, but they can’t carry on doing this.
‘If you tell them it’s only two at a time in the shop, they don’t like that, and they try and push their way in.
Staff claim they receive daily verbal abuse from the yobs and say they have had display stands thrown at them as the initial threats of violence continues to grow more real
The family-run business, which has been operating for nearly twenty years, has faced a surge in anti-social behaviour in recent months
The owner of the store, who wishes to remain anonymous, says police rarely show up despite them reporting the incidents – and that the yobs are encouraged by this
‘If we say we’re going to ring the police, they will turn around and shout, “the police aren’t going to come out anyway” – they have their answers for everything.’
Last year, CCTV footage from the store captured a disgruntled customer who was allegedly refused service after previously throwing bags of sweets and display stands at the owner before fleeing.
The owners also claim he threatened to return with acid and was later charged by police.
‘Another time, someone was caught stealing multiple times from this shop,’ the owners added.
‘One day he tried to come in, and we saw him before he came to the door so we pushed him out. He rang the police and said we assaulted him, and officers actually came out.’
Earlier this month, cameras caught a group of children heckling workers and throwing water at them from outside the shop during half term.
The retail boss added: ‘The police knew one particular kid who was at the front of the video.
‘Apparently, he threatened someone with a plastic knife a little while ago. It is a trigger for me because today it’s a plastic knife, but tomorrow it could be a real one.’
The shop owner said: ‘If we say we’re going to ring the police, they will turn around and shout, “the police aren’t going to come out anyway” (Pictured: Stock image of police)
The owners in the sleepy village of Medway, Kent, say the behaviour of the kids is getting out of control (Pictured: River Medway)
Earlier this month, cameras caught a group of children heckling workers and throwing water at them from outside the shop during half term (above)
Despite reporting all the incidents to police, the village shop’s owners say officers aren’t often deployed to react to their complaints and they believe it is because there is little chance of the force securing a prosecution.
‘Even though it has a massive impact on our lives and businesses, there are no repercussions for these children,’ she added.
‘They [officers] did say, if these kids are from social housing, they can be threatened with eviction and that has motivated me more to report things, but there are people in normal housing.’
A spokesperson for Kent Police said it had received reports of anti-social behaviour involving young people at the business and that an investigation is underway.
Following the most recent incident on April 12, the force says officers attended and enquiries were completed, including speaking to witnesses.
They also reviewed CCTV after a group of children entered the store and allegedly threw liquid from a plastic bottle.
The spokesperson added: ‘Officers are liaising with the owner of the premises and work is ongoing, including with schools, to help identify those responsible so that they and their families can be spoken to and a proportionate resolution reached.’
Sadly, these incidents have become the norm for many nearby retail workers.
Following the most recent incident on April 12, the force says officers attended and enquiries were completed, including speaking to witnesses
They also reviewed CCTV after a group of children entered the store and allegedly threw liquid from a plastic bottle
In Sittingbourne, a number of dispersal orders have been put in place recently following ‘disorder, abuse and threatening behaviour towards shop staff and members of the public’ in the high street.
Meanwhile, in Ashford, a war veteran said anti-social behaviour and thieves were ‘killing his business’.
‘It’s shocking to hear, but it’s very normal for us,’ the owner of the Medway store added.
‘It is traumatic. I think the only course of action really is to give retailers more power to be able to physically hold these children and push them out.
‘People who usually come into a shop, make a transaction and leave – there’s nothing for you not to like.
‘If we ask you for ID or if we ask for two kids at a time, there’s a reason for it. You have to respect it just like I would if I went into another shop.
In Sittingbourne, a number of dispersal orders have been put in place recently following ‘disorder, abuse and threatening behaviour towards shop staff and members of the public’ in the high street (Pictured: Stock image of Sittingbourne High Street)
Meanwhile, in Ashford, a war veteran said anti-social behaviour and thieves were ‘killing his business’ (Pictured: Stock image of Ashford High Street)
‘All we want to do is come to work, do our job and go home – we don’t want anything else.’
Inspector Paul Diddams of Kent Police’s Medway Community Safety Unit said the force were exploring the possibility of prosecution
He said: ‘We fully understand the impact antisocial behaviour can have on residents and local businesses. My officers will always pursue the most robust options available to them, including prosecution where appropriate.
‘I would urge anyone experiencing issues to report them as soon as possible to ensure an effective police response, so that we can track down culprits to face the consequences of their actions.’
