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Yobs leave litter, bottles and cans at Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford

Rampaging yobs have left a trail of debris across the Royal British Legion Village at Aylesford.

A crowd of up to 15 are said to have marched through the village, set up to care for service veterans from two world wars, and left it strewn with empty beer bottles, cans and litter.

The sign for the Garden of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford, was knocked over
The sign for the Garden of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford, was knocked over
Bottles, cans and litter left at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford
Bottles, cans and litter left at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford

Witnesses said they pulled out saplings and jumped in front of cars on their way to the bandstand where they drank, smoked and played loud music into the night despite still being in the coronavirus lockdown.

A sign for the Garden of Remembrance was pulled down and left on the lawn where it was discovered this morning (Sunday) along with the remains of burger buns, polystyrene cups, straws and paper cartons.

It is also claimed there was drug-taking and sex in a children's play area.

Mum-of-three Emma Cousins, who lives nearby, said: "In the Garden of Remembrance the teenagers left junk food, a smashed vodka bottle and beer bottles. Drugs and boozing are now normal in this village. It’s disgraceful.

"I loved taking my children there because it is pretty and peaceful but now there is always vandalism and I hate walking that way."

James Cox found the debris at the Royal British Legion Village at Aylesford while walking his dog
James Cox found the debris at the Royal British Legion Village at Aylesford while walking his dog
Drugs 'bong' found at Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford
Drugs 'bong' found at Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford

James Cox, 50, who took photos of the mess while walking his pet corgi-pom Bobbi, said: "This has been going on for months. It is disgusting. They are destroying the gardens which were set up to remember the Fallen of two world wars.

"When you walk past them they just hurl abuse. They have no respect for anyone. They are intimidating. I hate to think what the elderly who live in the nearby flats must put up with. I even found a bong behind the bandstand.

"A gardener told me he found condoms, nitrous oxide canisters and broken bottles in the children's adventure play area in one of the children's houses by the Base Camp cafe. It is disgraceful."

Cllr Andrew Kennedy (Con, Aylesford North and Walderslade) is a member of Tonbridge and Malling council. He said: "We have had increasing reports of anti-social behaviour, littering and fly-tipping.

"I will continue to push for the council to take a more proactive approach. Perhaps we could have private litter wardens? They tend to be more zealous. We also need to catch and fine people and ensure the litter is cleaned up quickly."

Garden of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford. Picture: Andy Jones
Garden of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford. Picture: Andy Jones

Neighbours from the British Legion Village were out on Sunday morning clearing up the mess.

A spokesman for Royal British Legion Industries said: "The Garden of Honour is a quiet place for the veterans of our village, and those from the wider Kent community, to come to pay their respects to those who sadly lost their lives. While our Base Camp cafe playground is a safe place for families to enjoy.

"So it is has been incredibly disappointing to see that these public areas have been treated so poorly over the weekend.

"Our Property Services team have been working to return the garden and the playground to their usual good standards, and we want to thank the passing village residents who helped clear away the litter left on Sunday.”

"We do have information which may pertain to those involved and we will be passing this information to Kent Police."

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