How to report potential hazards
Please report potential hazards or unusual items such as canisters, drums or oil affected birds washed up on the beach to help the authorities deal with any problems quickly.
Emergencies
Coastguard, Ambulance, Police or Fire
Phone: 999
If someone appears to be in trouble in the water
Call 999 and ask for Coastguard
Non-emergency
Pollution
If the incident is on the beach, above high water mark:
Environmental Agency - (Shore based hazardous pollution )
Phone: 0800 807060
If the incident is in the sea, below high water mark:
HM Coastguard, Dover - (Shipping pollution/incidents)
Phone: 01304 210008
Injured animals and birds
If found stranded, injured or in distress on the beach, phone:
- RSPCA: 0300 1234 999 (Injured birds/animals)
- BDMLR: 01825 765546 (for marine wildlife; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri) or
- 07787 433412 (BDMLR out of hours/bank holidays)
If found dead/alive, please do not touch or try to move it, report to:
- Thanet Coast Project: 01843 577672
(Out of office hours, call Thanet District Council on 01843 577000)
Take oil-affected sea birds to your local veterinary centres:
- Birchington Veterinary Centre, 9 Minnis Road CT7 9SD Phone: 01843 845347
- Eagle Vets Birchington, 4 Eastfield Road CT7 9RH 01843 845050
- Thanet Vets Margate, College Road, Margate CT9 5TP Phone: 01843 226678
- Companion Care Vets, Broadstairs - Inside Pets at Home, Westwood Road CT10 2RQ
- Westgate Veterinary Centre, 88 St Mildreds Rd CT8 8RF Phone: 01843 833017
- Briar House Veterinary Centre, 13-15 St Peters Rd, Broadstairs Phone: 01843 863395
- PDSA Animal Hospital, 292 Northdown Road, Margate CT9 2PT Phone: 01843 269933
- Plunkett's Veterinary Surgery, 154 High St, Ramsgate CT11 9TT Phone: 01843 591899 (& 1 Millmead Road, Margate CT9 3QQ)
Fisheries
Illegal fishing at sea, abandoned fixed nets, or unauthorised commercial collecting.
Contact Kent & Essex IFCA: 01843 585310
Crime, incidents, suspicious activities, vandalism & anti-social behaviour
To report these incidents, call:
Kent Police Non Emergency reporting number: 101
Crime/Suspicious activity on the Kent coast: Kent Police (Project Kraken)
Anti-Social Behaviour (Thanet area): 01843 577888
Rubbish
If you find fly tipping or graffiti on the beach:
For Thanet: https://www.thanet.gov.uk/services/clean-streets/
or contact the relevant Local Authorities concerned - see below!
Dogs
Owners are required to clean up after their dog in all public places. Several beaches are dog-free in the summer - look at our dog walking on the Thanet Coast advice or dog PSPOs for details.
Contact Local Authorities – see below.
Local bylaws on the foreshore
Your local authority is responsible for local bylaws; but there are also voluntary codes of conduct: Thanet Coastal Codes
Note: in some cases a criminal offence may also have been committed, and the police may need to be involved. However, you should leave this decision to the Council.
Thanet District Council: 01843 577000
Dover District Council: 01304 821199
Canterbury City Council: 01227 862000
Foreshore - Thanet Council (9am-5pm Monday - Friday): 01843 577274
Foreshore - Whitstable to Reculver (Canterbury): 01227 266719
OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS:
112 Emergency number (any mobile around the world)
111 Non-emergency - Medical
101 Non-emergency - Police
Thanet Coast (NEKMPA)
c/o Thanet District Council,
PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ
United Kingdom
E-mail:
Tony Child
Thanet Coast (NE Kent Marine Protected Area) Officer
Telephone: +44 (0) 1843 577672
(based in Manston Road Depot)