Social media influencers have denied fuelling chaotic scenes on a Kent beach as fed-up residents urge them to “stay away”. Videos showed large, “intimidating” crowds gathering at Viking Bay over the bank holiday weekend amid posts on social media describing the gathering as ”Broadstairs’ Biggest Beach Link-up”. Footage shared with KentOnline captured some groups appearing to behave antisocially on the seafront on Monday, with police also seen moving people on.
Officers made arrests, issued dispersal orders and confiscated alcohol, while businesses closed early amid reports of intimidation, shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. The scenes have intensified fears among residents and traders that viral social media “link-ups” are turning seaside towns into hotspots for mass gatherings fuelled by social media attention. The local MP, the town’s mayor and a county councillor have joined residents in condemning the disorder. Meanwhile, police say they will be monitoring online channels for any content that may encourage further disruption.
Videos circulating from the weekend showed large crowds gathered around two influencers known as Marcus14 and Lankz as a football was kicked from the clifftop promenade onto the packed beach below. In a video posted on TikTok on Tuesday, Marcus, who is from Medway, described Broadstairs as “the craziest beach in the whole of England” and claimed: “Me and Lankz absolutely shut it off.” But his video quickly sparked backlash online, with Broadstairs residents accusing influencers of encouraging huge crowds to descend on the town for online engagement.
Resident Emelyne commented on the clip: “As a resident, it’s so disheartening seeing people having no consideration whatsoever. It’s chaos, and the behaviour people are bringing to the town is unjustifiable.” Caroline Cooper added: “Be more considerate. It’s so intimidating for the little kids. Businesses are being ruined.” Marcus later denied he had done anything wrong or encouraged disorder, insisting he had simply been enjoying the beach with friends. The 19-year-old scaffolder, who has 18,000 followers, told KentOnline: “We were just joking around and it blew up, but it had nothing to do with me.”
In separate videos posted on TikTok and Instagram, fellow creator Lankz, who has 5,000 followers on each platform, also defended himself and Marcus, saying they had not been involved in antisocial behaviour. “Me and Marcus did not come to disrespect Broadstairs, we actually came to enjoy ourselves,” he said. Referencing the violent disorder seen at other coastal towns, Lankz said: “Guys, can we actually take time and praise Broadstairs because there was no stabbings that day.” In response to residents urging the influencers not to come back to the town, he added: “So you Broadstairs, trying to say ‘stay where you guys belong’. Listen, us Medway boys, we’re like a pack of wolves and you can’t stop us from going anywhere.”
While neither influencer is alleged to have been involved in anything unlawful, residents believe social media is increasingly acting as a magnet for huge gatherings of teenagers. Similar scenes were reported in places including Southend and Bournemouth beaches.
