Seaside town hires security guards

SECURITY guards have been recruited at a cost of £8,500 to patrol a quiet seaside town and stop children terrorising locals in the school holidays.

- By Isobel Williams

Residents and businesses in Herne Bay, Kent, say gangs of children as young as eight have been stealing from shops, shouting abuse and using catapults to kill ducks in a park.

Akon Security has been awarded the six-week contract to help council enforcement officers crack down on antisocial behaviour.

Heena Thakkar, 49, who owns a shop on the high street, said children had been making her life a misery for years.