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Young vandals run riot in high street

VANDALS who went on a wrecking spree have caused damage costing thousands - outraging residents and traders.

Yobs rampaged through Brompton High Street, near Gillingham, on Tuesday night, racing cars around the narrow streets and smashing parked vehicles.

Mark Boland, who owns one of the pubs in the area, said youths had made the street into a race track. He stresed: “We have been having problems for the last three or four months and these boy racers have been racing around and even driving at people.

“But on Tuesday night they were out swinging golf clubs around and fighting among each other,” he said.

About 20 girls and boys, believed to be aged between 10 and 19, were seen tearing around the streets and smashing car windows.

One trader who had a window smashed, said: “I finished work, went out to play football and when I came back my car had been done. Luckily, I had to only pay the excess because I’m insured, but other cars had worse damage.”

Mr Boland said it had only been a matter of time before the trouble seriously erupted.

“We have made so many calls to the police but they haven’t been able to do anything because the cars are all OK and legal,” he explained.

“But this incident happened around 7pm and first the Ministry of Defence police came to investigate followed by Kent Police.

“What really annoys me is the way the youths stand there talking to police while holding beer cans,” he added.

Sgt Jerry Bownas, of Medway police, said: "We are taking a robust stance against this type of behaviour. High-profile policing is being put in place to reassure local residents that any offences will be dealt with promptly.”

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