A street trader left “exhausted and stressed” by unruly teenagers targeting her food van has pleaded with their parents to help stop the harassment.

Juliana Araujo, who runs Quick Bites Brazilians Snacks near Canterbury West railway station, has found herself the victim of a series of increasingly anti-social attacks by gangs of youths.

Since opening the business two months ago, she has had to contend with as many as 10 youngsters at a time stealing food and throwing rocks, water and eggs at the wagon.

Ms Araujo has even seen rubbish thrown at her customers and says the constant torment is killing her business.

The Canterbury resident of five years told KentOnline: “I'm paying for my business, my house, everything, and it’s not easy.

“Every week this is a problem - I have to stress about what they might do to me all the time.

“They come on their bikes or run along - they go in the middle of the road and show no respect to anyone.

“Something needs to be done.”

Having finally reached boiling point, Ms Araujo uploaded video footage from her phone onto social media in an attempt to finally stop the culprits.

She hopes it will attract the attention of any of their parents ahead of what she fears will be a long summer break with children off school.

“It is so difficult to get everything right without having young people think this is a funny way to behave,” she said.

“I pay a lot of money to be here, and with this going on it is very tiring and stressful.

“I do complain to the police but it doesn’t seem to go anywhere, and I don’t know what else to do.

“The situation is unsustainable. If this harassment continues I will have to close my business.

“I can install cameras, call the police, or talk about this every day, but I believe nothing will change unless their parents intervene.”

Police sergeant Ben Norbury, from Canterbury’s community safety unit, says the force is working to address the issue.

“We’re aware of reports of anti-social behaviour involving groups of teenagers around a car park in Station Road West, Canterbury, and work is ongoing by our Child-Centred Policing Teams to respond to the concerns raised.

“Our beat officers are making contact with the owner of a local food business to address their concerns and we will look to speak to any children found to be involved and their parents.

“We understand the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on businesses, residents and the community and we encourage the reporting of all incidents to us, as soon as possible after they arise. Reports can be made via our website or by calling 999 if a crime is in progress.”

A Canterbury City Council spokesman added this week: "Today is the first time we have heard of these issues and we are now liaising with the police."