A THUG armed with a nail gun has been firing randomly at people in a Kent city.

Police say four incidents occurred in Canterbury on Thursday and believe a white van with Homecare written on the side was involved.

Ch Insp Lee Russell is calling for anyone with information to call police.

He said: "This is a very dangerous thing to do – a nail gun fired from a short distance could cause a serious injury.

The first attack happened at 3.15pm when a 45-year-old woman walking up St Dunstan's felt a sting on her bottom and later found a puncture wound and hole in her coat.

At 3.40pm, a 60-year-old woman was shopping just off St Peter’s Street when she felt something like a dart hit her knee. She pulled up her trousers and found a small wound.

Fifteen minutes later a woman in Wincheap reported that she had been struck by a nail near to the Marino’s Fish Bar.

And at 4.15pm a man was getting something out of his van in Simmonds Road on the Wincheap industrial estate when he felt something strike him on the side of the face. He thought it was bee sting until he noticed a nail caught in his clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01227 868117.