A toddler was hit in the eye by stone-throwing yobs who are “driving tourists away” from Herne Bay seafront.

The three-year-old was hurt in one of three incidents witnessed by a town councillor in as many weeks.

Also targeted by the unruly teenagers were a coach-load of French students and a pensioner.

Cllr Andrew Cook (Con) says he has seen people being injured by the flying stones.

He said: “It’s happened three times in my presence – during the middle of the day! On one occasion there was an elderly lady, over 70 years old, who was struck on the leg and quite shocked by it.

“A three-year-old was hit in the eye by a stone coming in from the beach area, and on another occasion a lady was hit while she was walking with her husband.

“I worry if someone gets hit by the stones they could go ballistic and take the law into their own hands, and that would be a very dangerous situation.

“I’ve been to places in Europe with promenades and never seen people throwing stones like this. I don’t understand why people think it’s OK to throw stones at people and property.”

"I don’t understand why people think it’s OK to throw stones at people and property..." - Cllr Andrew Cook

Yet more vandalism overnight on Monday left another glass panel smashed on the pier, despite an appeal last week by Pier Trust chairman Doreen Stone for the youths to support the pier.

Mrs Stone said: “What’s wrong with these kids? They must be very miserable. Why don’t they come to see us and get involved?

“It’s their pier as well as everyone else’s. When this happens, it’s depressing.

“We are all volunteers giving up our time to make Herne Bay a better place.

“It’s demoralising to see. If the rumours about the French students are true, it is not good for the town or for business.

“We want to be encouraging visitors, so throwing stones at them has a detrimental effect upon the town they live in.”

Mrs Stone estimates that the damage will cost the trust £750 to replace the three glass panels, which were put in place last year to bring more light to the beach huts.

Cllr Cook says a new CCTV camera could be installed, as well as by-laws to enforce laws against stone throwing and pier jumping.