A pensioner is in shock after stone-throwing yobs smashed his windows and left burning rubbish on his doorstep.

Former jeweller Hugh Wood has now spoken out after his home in Northfleet was targeted by a group of boys aged 10 to 14.

The 78-year-old says he has no idea why he has been singled out for such appalling treatment.

"I've had some people attacking my home and I cannot understand what motivates them to do something like that," he said.

"I was in total shock. I am still in shock after what happened. I could not believe it. I never get involved with these people, it would be much too dangerous. It would be stupid.

"The main worry is where is it going? It has been escalating over the last few days."

In November, part of his downstairs window was smashed after a group of around six or seven youngsters threw dozens of stones at his home.

His neighbour's home was also hit in the same incident, smashing her door pane.

Mr Wood said the yobs returned last week and were seen hammering on his door before running away shouting obscenities at the great-grandad.

On Sunday, a second pane of his downstairs window was broken and Mr Wood believes it was the same group.

He said: "I heard all this banging against my house. They were throwing stones from about 40 yards from my front door.

"I was pretty shocked when they were hurling stones from over the road. They were throwing dozens of them. I did not know what was going on at first.

"They were hurling these stones until it broke my front window."

The single-glazed glass has been temporarily fixed and boarded up while Mr Wood waits for a more permanent solution.

The following day, the widower was targeted again.

"I heard a tap at the door and went to open it," he said. "There was litter burning away like hell. A large piece of newspaper was burning away.

"There were all these flames coming up and I got some water and put it out. It is a worry. I do not know what they will do next.

"My wife chose this house, it is a memorial to her now. I do not want to move.

"You wonder what they are going to do next, what is driving them or who is driving them?

"I have no idea who these people are. It is a complete mystery."

Mr Wood believes the youngsters have been coming from the alleyway opposite his house and congregating at the end of it.

His neighbours said they could not understand why Mr Wood was being targeted.

One added: "It is so quiet around here, you do not get any trouble. It is just so horrible what they are doing."

Another said: "Where are their parents? It is frustrating that they keep doing it."

Police are investigating after receiving a series of reports involving a group of young boys throwing stones which resulted in criminal damage and subjecting the resident to verbal abuse.

Officers said they have visited the victim to discuss the investigation and offer safety advice. Following house-to-house inquiries to identify the suspects, the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information or CCTV that may assist the investigation should call the appeal line on 01474 366149, quoting crime reference number 29-0842.