Residents have Kent have had to deal with (Image: Getty)
The once-charming seaside town of is experiencing an unsettling surge of youth vandalism and , which is leaving its residents feeling trapped and anxious.
Packs of young troublemakers, some as young as 10, have turned the town into their playground of destruction, smashing windows, setting fires, and intimidating anyone who dares stand in their way.
At the heart of the most recent chaos is a derelict complex on Mill Road, a ghostly relic abandoned in 2019 after being branded “inadequate” by the .
The crumbling site has become a magnet for mischief, its battered walls and rooftops providing a stage for the antics of these unruly youths.
Despite repeated attempts to secure the area, including high fences and boarded windows, the kids find their way in, scaling old fire escapes to wreak havoc.
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Youths have been sneaking into the abandoned care home in Deal (Image: Facebook)
Locals describe their town as being under siege.
Residents who challenge the youths have reported facing retaliation, including verbal abuse and bottles thrown at their homes.
One homeowner explained that children were using an old fire escape to access the site, where they engaged in destructive behaviour.
Leigh Everitt, a 59-year-old theatre worker, described how the chaos has even spilled over into her workplace.
She recounted incidents of children invading the theatre during shows, running around unsupervised, and even threatening staff. “They’ve been running riot,” she told . “One of them pulled a hammer on my colleague.”
Ninety-one-year-old Doreen Greenup shared similar frustrations, describing the summer as a nightmare.
“They’ve been absolute devils,” she said. “They smashed things, set fires, and used language you wouldn’t believe.”
In response, Dover District Council has taken measures to secure the derelict complex.
High fences have been erected, windows boarded up, and a security firm now patrols the area regularly.
Plans are also underway to redevelop the site into a housing project, though delays have left residents wondering when relief will come.
The local police have urged residents to report incidents and assured them that efforts to tackle the issue are ongoing.
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The people of Deal have had to put up with youths tormenting them (Image: Getty)
A spokesperson for Dover District Council previously said: “We can confirm that we have received a planning application for 13 dwellings, and a prior approval application for the demolition of four former care homes at this site.
“We continue to look into both applications and no decisions have been made at this time.”
The chaos at Mill Road is just the latest chapter in Deal’s growing struggle with youth crime.
In a harrowing 2022 incident, a 10-year-old boy was brutally attacked in a graveyard by older teens, leaving him with cracked ribs and multiple injuries. His mother later revealed the assault was part of a gang initiation ritual linked to the infamous “Green Gang.”
Reports of smashed car windows, doors being kicked in, and other acts of vandalism have become distressingly common. Residents are calling for more action from authorities, as the picturesque charm of Deal fades under the shadow of lawlessness.
Police have urged locals to report incidents and assured the public that they are actively working to address the issues. However, for a town once known for its serene seaside appeal, the journey back to peace feels like a distant dream.
Daily Express has approached Dover District Council for comment.