TWO 15-year-old girls have been treated in hospital for minor injuries after being shot with air pellets.

The girls had been with a group of people in the Nine Acres area of Kennington, near Ashford, when the incident happened.

Police officers were called on Sunday night to Ashford's William Harvey Hospital where the girls were taken.

Three males aged 20, 17 and 14, and a 18-year-old woman, have been arrested in the connection with the incident.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, it is an arrestable offence to carry an imitation firearm in a public place, whether or not it is capable of discharging a shot or a bullet.

Carrying an air weapon in public, loaded or not, is also an offence. The maximum penalty is six months imprisonment.

Det Insp Gavin Moss, of Kent Police, said: “As we approach the summer holiday period, I would like to remind people, particularly young people, that these air weapons can be extremely dangerous, and can lead to injuries.

“This should serve as a warning that we will take action, and there are serious consequences for anyone in possession of such weapons.”