Police confiscated catapults from a group of young boys after they were caught firing them near a public park.

After receiving reports of the "nuisance youths" in Ashford on Sunday afternoon, officers seized three of the devices and 55 ball bearings.

The offenders had been using the catapults near the town's Victoria Park.

They were caught through the use of CCTV as police worked with Ashford Borough Council operators to track down the boys.

Ashford has been plagued by the use of catapults for years, with shocking figures seeing it named the catapult crime capital of Kent back in 2019.

And in February, a furious cat owner said her beloved moggy was "lucky to still be walking"after being hit by a ball bearing near her spine.

The incidents have become so bad that one resident set up a petition to make carrying them illegal.

Neighbourhood Watch volunteer Peter New said: "This has been constant – we are not looking at something that has been suddenly dropped on us.

"The situation has been growing and growing.

"Pensioners, vulnerable and working people are having their windows shot out, their cars damaged or worse.

"We're seeing animals killed, runners and delivery drivers fired at. Something has to be done, because it's so hard for the police to do anything about it."

It is not currently illegal to own or carry a catapult and action can be taken only if a solid link between the carrier and a crime can be established.

Kent Police have been approached for more details about the Victoria Park incident.