Kwasi Kwarteng grilled on PM's crime statistics in the Commons

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Residents say they fear going into the city centre, amid concerns over “feral youths who do as they please”. The city centre has been blighted by numerous high-profile violent incidents in recent memory. The increase in antisocial behaviour has led to calls for a more visible police presence on the streets.

New data that crime across the district fell slightly in the year up to September.

However, there has been a rise in certain types of antisocial behaviour.

According to the Office of National Statistics, ONS, violent incidents rose by seven percent.

The city has also seen a rise in public order offences, up five percent.

Also, offences for criminal damage and arson are up six percent, and sexual offences also rose by eight percent.

In 2019 a horrific incident happened on the streets of Canterbury when 17-year-old German tourist Daniel Ezzedine was brutally attacked by a gang of teenagers.

The assault left him brain-damaged and severely disabled.

The German student has been rendered unable to speak or read and requires around-the-clock care after the racist attack in Canterbury city centre in June 2019.

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Canterbury Crown Court heard how one of the gang who assaulted the tourist, Jack Barron, swung a shoulder bag loaded with bricks into Daniel’s face.

Another, called Luke Fogarolli, took a running kick at his unconscious victim’s head.

Both were jailed last year for grievous bodily harm with intent.

This month a further teenager who was involved in the brutal attack was jailed for a further act of violence.

The teenager was involved in a brawl with rivals in the high street.

Speaking to KentOnline, Janet Dale, who formerly worked in the city, says she has seen the town “deteriorate over the years”.

She said: “It has become a dump.

“So many major shops have closed down and sadly homeless people are sleeping rough in doorways.

“McDonald’s has people hanging around outside.

“Dane John Gardens is now a nightmare.

“We either go to Westwood Cross or McArthurGlen and keep out of Canterbury now.

“Like most places, it has become a no-go area.”

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