People in Herne Bay have been left living in fear as the town is increasingly plagued by violent and anti-social youths branded “wannabe gangsters”.

A public meeting has been called for later this month, where police and councillors will face questions from fed-up residents and businesses desperate for action.

It comes amid growing anger over escalating reports of teenagers terrorising the town - from launching catapults at ducks in Memorial Park and assaulting staff in supermarkets, to riding mopeds recklessly through the high street, vandalising shops and targeting the elderly.

The offenders - said to be as young as 13 - typically wear black tracksuits with their faces covered, racing through town on e-scooters or bikes, and are seen in packs around known hotspots such as the Memorial Park, seafront and town centre.

Councillor Liz Harvey, who represents Heron ward on Canterbury City Council and is organising the meeting, says she has been inundated with complaints, and has even witnessed the unruly behaviour herself.

“There seems to be a cycle of groups of kids doing this,” she told KentOnline.

“They’re wannabe gangsters, obviously influenced by the internet and TV, but nobody’s impressed with them - everybody knows they’re just kids who act hard.

“This is Herne Bay, this isn’t the Bronx or a rough part of London.”

The Conservative says residents are reporting drug-dealing, violent attacks on animals, shoplifting, and widespread intimidation, including elderly people in Station Road flats who are now too afraid to leave their homes.

Among the most disturbing accounts are repeated incidents involving catapults used to maim and kill birds.

One local described how teenagers were not only firing at birds daily but collecting feathers “like trophies”.

Another said they witnessed a duck being killed in the park, before the culprits calmly walked away.

A Kent Police spokesperson confirmed they were called to Central Parade on the evening of June 6 after reports a duck was shot at with a catapult, and that inquiries are ongoing.

The violence and abuse has even impacted local businesses. Staff at Iceland had to shut the store early recently after youths forced entry into their yard, rammed a milk dolly into the back door, and hurled stones and rocks.

One worker said a cashier arrived the next day “shaking so much” from fear.

“I will not tolerate this, nor should a member of my staff be afraid to turn up for work,” she added.

“To the parents of these kids - you need to step up and sort your rogue kids out.”

The trouble has become so frequent that some residents are now calling for vigilante patrols, saying they no longer trust the authorities to keep the streets safe.

One suggested locals should take to the parks themselves to “stop kids who won’t respect people, let alone animals”.

Cllr Dan Watkins, who also represents Herne Bay and the Tories on CCC, says he recently led Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, on a walk around the town to highlight the scale of the issue.

“We’ve seen a big rise in anti-social behaviour, particularly in Memorial Park, the high streets and surrounding roads,” he said.

“This has ranged from using catapults on ducks in the pond, to shoplifting and threatening shop staff, through to terrorising residents in some of the blocks of retirement flats.

“It’s completely unacceptable.”

Many believe it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

One resident described how two teenagers on bikes tried to drive straight at her daughter and an elderly woman, swerving only at the last second while laughing.

“The older lady was very shaken up,” she said. “Do we have to let this happen just about every day now?”

Others have slammed a perceived lack of visible policing and accountability, with one former officer blaming “a management culture that’s lost its way” and pledging to attend the public meeting to challenge decision-makers directly.

The community meeting at 6pm on June 24 at King’s Hall is open to all residents and businesses.

Police, councillors and representatives from other agencies are expected to attend.

Cllr Harvey hopes it will be a turning point, saying: “We need to get a handle on this or it’s just going to escalate.”

Sgt Jonathan Sheehan, from Kent Police’s Community Safety Unit, will face questions at the meeting.

"Herne Bay has a dedicated team of beat officers and PCSOs focused on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and we work closely with our partner agencies to ensure there is a joined-up approach to concerns raised,” he said.

"Our commitment to providing greater visibility within the communities has resulted in a 22% reduction in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour over the last 12 months.

"The town has also seen a 9% reduction in incidents involving serious violence.

"But, we are not complacent and we don’t underestimate the impact such incidents have on local residents, which is why I will be attending the public meeting on June 24, along with partner agencies, so we can listen and act where concerns are raised."