A Sainsbury's driver, a boy playing Xbox and running groups have been shot at by catapult yobs during a crimewave.

Now the boy's anxious mum has hit out over the surge in anti-social behaviour in Ashford.

Kennington resident Louise Appleton says there has been a spate of similar attacks on people and property in the town over the last few months.

And her concerns were worsened when her 13-year-old son was targeted in an attack while sat in his bedroom.

"It is such a problem here, windows are getting smashed all the time and it's getting to the point where people are getting targeted," she said.

"The local glaziers are out all the time; it has been a problem in the town for years but it seems to have been taken to the next level now."

"My son was sat near the window, playing on his Xbox, when someone shot something – a pellet, or a BB bullet, we're not sure – at the window.

"Thankfully the window is double glazed and it only smashed the first pane of glass, but it was shocking for him to experience.

"I think the worst thing about it was that the blinds were open so he would have been clearly visible in the window; that means they will have shot at it knowing full well what could happen."

After the incident, Mrs Appleton posted on a local Facebook group to alert other parents, and was shocked by the reaction she got.

She said: "My post got so many responses about different things that have happened in the Kennington area.

"Property, cars, windows have been targeted – one elderly lady in town had a broken pane of glass replaced only to have it smashed again the next day!"

Even worse, the incidents have reportedly escalated to the point where people are being targeted.

"Running groups have had to speak out to make sure their runners are aware of what's happening in the area after one or two were catapulted at," explained Mrs Appleton.

"And just around the corner several people witnessed a Sainsbury's delivery driver being pelted – both his van and himself."

Bus routes have also been temporarily cancelled or diverted on more than one occasion, while there have been reports of youths kicking holes in doors in the area.

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

'It seems to be getting worse and nobody is doing anything about it...'

Use of the weapons has been endemic in the town – nicknamed the 'catapult capital of Kent' – for years.

Mrs Appleton says the law needs to be addressed before things escalate further.

She said: "There are things that can be used dangerously that serve a purpose, like hammers, but what can you say about catapults?

"Really it only has one purpose which is for violence; if you aren't going to use it on buildings or people, what are you going to use it on? Wildlife? Do we just accept that as if it were nothing?

"My worry is that it seems to be getting worse and nobody is doing anything about it. My mum is 84, and if any of this happened to her, I can't imagine how she would feel."

In response to the concerns, inspector Simon Johnson of 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 tofficers would focus on encouraging younger offenders to do something good for the community rather than punishment.

Police have also recently used dispersal orders on areas that attract antisocial behaviour. It was used most recently in the town centre last weekend.

"We also currently have additional ongoing patrols in Ashford to deter further nuisance behaviour and identify those responsible," he added.

"Officers from the Ashford community safety unit have spent time visiting and speaking to residents to gather their views about anti-social behaviour in their streets and collate information which will help to build a picture of any problems in the town we need to focus on and respond appropriately to.

"We thank everyone who has taken the time to speak to us already.

"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.

"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."

Cllr Nathan Iliffe (Con), who represents the Kennington ward on Ashford Borough Council, says news of the incidents was "shocking".

"I find it quite unbelievable that people – and most often children – are walking around with catapults," he said.

"The key message I would say is if you see someone with a catapult, report it to the police; they have made it clear to me that the more reports they get, the more resources they can send to an affected area."

"Parents have a responsibility to know what their children are up to.

"If they have any fear that their children might be up to no good – and this is more than no good, it’s dangerous – then they have to make sure they are on the straight and narrow."

Anyone with information regarding the incident that saw Mrs Appleton's window smashed should contact the police appeal line on 01843 222289, quoting 46/16177/22.