Sickening scenes have shown the moment a group of thugs attack a family restaurant in a quaint seaside town in broad daylight in yet another depressing illustration of "Broken Britain". A mob of 30 youths tried to enter the popular Sardinia Italian restaurant in Broadstairs, Kent, as horrified customers looked on.

The attack happened after another youth, who the group were chasing, sought sanctuary inside and staff shut the doors. Police had to issue a dispersal order to give them more powers to move on the yobs after the violent scenes in the popular coastal resort. The clip, which has circulated on social media, shows a group of youths, run towards the Sardinia Italian restaurant, before some of the group start to try to attack two male members of staff who appear at the front door.

Objects are hurled towards them, before a bare-chested male picks up a chair from outside and hurls it towards them creating a smashing sound.

One staff member, who is stopped by the other from fighting back, goes inside, while his colleague picks up the chair to defend himself.

The male then hurls a second chair before another male also hurls one as a male voice in the video is heard encouragingly saying "Get him bro, get him."

Two girls are also seen filming the attack. Many involved appear to be laughing.

The employee hurls a chair back, before a fourth is thrown at him.

The second staff member then reappears holding what looks like a large metal spoon, before chasing one of the attackers down the street, followed by other members of the group, before the video ends.

A window was broken at the restaurant during the attack that happened on Thursday at about 5.15pm.

The restaurant manager, who said his name was Tony, said he had four or five tables full inside when the attack happened.

He said: "They were trying to get to this boy who they already attacked to beat him again. We let him inside and shut the doors, but they attacked the staff and threw chairs. They were teenagers, but one was 19.

"He was half their size, I don't know why they would want to do this. There were about 30 of them."

The damage could cost up to £2,000 to repair, he said.

He said police arrived after the attack was over and he heard arrests had been made, but the same youths were seen out again in Broadstairs on Friday.

One resident, who posted the video on X, posted: "Welcome to Thanet #Broadstairs. The sooner I can get out of this area, the better… getting worse by the week."

Another said: "Any arrests from the awful attack on a local business, yesterday? Videos have been widely circulated showing the attack along with fighting on the beach. Worrying times for local residents, visitors and business owners."

Police responded by implementing the dispersal order throughout much of the town centre from 10pm.

It followed scenes of chaos throughout the day when the window of another business was broken and there were reports of underage drinking and street fights breaking out.

There were also reports of yobs hurling bottles at beach huts and people and trying to steal from shops along the seafront.

Gangs of teenagers also caused trouble at the town’s train station, where police also attended.

Dispersal orders give officers additional authority to stop and search individuals under section 60 of the Public Order Act and to move people from an area.

It remains in force until 4.30pm today.

A Kent Police spokesperson said: "The orders have been implemented due to ongoing concerns relating to issues caused by a small minority of young people in some public areas including the town and beach areas.

"These have included under-age street drinking, fighting and reports of aggressive behaviour towards staff at shops.

"The dispersal order grants our officers additional powers to instruct people to leave specific areas and anyone who returns after being dispersed risks being arrested."