Three bus shelters were smashed in the same road after "mindless morons" struck during a night of vandalism.

The yobs targeted Trinity Road in Kennington, Ashford, leaving shattered glass across the pavement.

Four lampposts were also damaged during the vandalism spree, which happened on Saturday.

Peter New, a Kent Police Volunteer and Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, says the thugs have been seen using catapults.

"These incidents are carried out by mindless morons who feel they are untouchable in the community," he said.

"They have no respect for people, property or defenceless animals and wildlife.

"They are known in the community and sheltered by parents and friends who know what they do and who they are. These incidents blight communities and cause upset and distress."

Mr New says residents need to come together to name those responsible and put a stop to the behaviour.

"Police have mounted operations in the area but cannot be there all the time," he said.

"Alongside the bus shelters, Goat Lees Primary School has suffered and residents have suffered, many of which do not have the funds to carry out repairs. Cars damaged, windows smashed, it has been happening for months.

"Stagecoach also had to stop running buses for a time as the risk was too high to drivers and passengers from thugs firing catapults."

Goat Lees councillor Cllr Winston Michael (Ind) says he has been working on reducing anti-social behaviour in Kennington over the past few months.

He says he does not want to criminalise the people behind these acts of vandalism, but help them.

"This anti-social behaviour has been going on in some shape or form since August last year," he said.

"I have been at the forefront of that to get things done. We have taken some action but everything seems to continue to go on and I just cannot understand why.

"We need to stop this. It was not too long ago that all the shelters were broken and we repaired them.

"We are urging anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. But of course where the bus shelters are, there are no houses near.

"People in the community must know who these people are and I would appeal to them that for both those individuals and the community, they provide their details to police firstly to stop it and secondly to help the individuals.

"They may have personal problems which need to be dealt with. We need to try and find the perpetrators and see what we can do to stop them so they do not reoffend.

"I am at a loss to understand why it keeps happening."

A spokesperson for Kennington Community Council said the authority has written to the owners of the bus shelters - Clear Channel - expressing concern that vandalism which starts there may escalate.

"Clear Channel has agreed to meet with the council to discuss the issue," they said.

"We understand that the company makes a trade-off between plastic which is difficult to clean after graffiti and glass which is easier to clean but susceptible to breakage.

"The council will ask the company to take into account wider impacts on anti-social behaviour. It is of course an issue across England and not merely in Ashford."

A police spokesperson confirmed there have been reports of criminal damage to bus shelters along Trinity Road between March 25 and 26.

"The damage consists of glass panelling on the bus shelters being smashed," they said.

"Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/55633/23."