More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The use of catapults to target windows, people and animals has become so prevalent in one part of the county that a campaign is under way to make carrying them illegal.
Ashford has been plagued by the problem for years, seeing it become the catapult crime capital of Kent.
Now one resident is so fed up with the continual amount of damage being caused that he is encouraging others to sign his petition calling on them to be outlawed.
Neighbourhood Watch volunteer Peter New says he wants carrying a catapult to become a criminal offence to help police tackle the issue.
"This has been constant – we are not looking at something that has been suddenly dropped on us," he said.
"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.
"The law does not give police the right powers in the same way it would do with a knife."
Mr New, a retired firefighter, started the campaign in the wake of a series of incidents over the last few months.
"The community has been bubbling along for at least four years now over this – dates and times of incidents start to merge into one," he added.
"But recently we have seen so much, and a lot of people don't report it to the police so we may never know just how bad it is.
"These stones, they can hit you out of nowhere and you may not even see where they came from.
"If they hit you in the wrong place, they could blind you, or if they were to go through a car window it could cause a crash which could be so much worse."
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.
The petition seeks to make it illegal to carry a catapult unless it can be proved it is for a legitimate reason, such as firing bait into a lake for fishing.
In response to the ongoing concerns in the town, Inspector Simon Johnson of the Ashford Community Safety Unit said: "When reports of incidents involving catapults are made to police, they are taken seriously as we appreciate how concerning they can be for residents.
"Those who use catapults to cause criminal damage or risk public safety can expect our officers to take action against them.
"We have the power to stop and search anyone we believe is carrying a catapult and is suspected of using it to cause damage or harm. Anyone caught will risk prosecution.
"We have a number of powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, these include community protection warnings and criminal behaviour orders."
Insp Johnson said officers would focus on encouraging younger offenders to do something good for the community rather than punishment.
"To help us continue to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ashford, it is important that anyone who has information regarding such incidents report it us on 101 or via our online reporting on our website," he added.
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"We understand people might only post such information on social media but we urge anyone who sees a person with a catapult or who has stones taken from their driveway, to let officers know as soon as possible so we can take action to reduce anti-social behaviour."
To sign the petition, click here.
