The aftermath at Lloyds TSB in Gillingham

by KM reporters

Police were inundated with hoax calls last night as rumours of yob attacks in Kent spread like wildfire on the internet.

Facebook and Twitter were awash with reports of flare-ups that never happened including fires and looting at Westwood Cross and violence in Gravesend.

In one bizarre hoax call, a terrified member of the public in Deal reported seeing a 100-strong crowd of teenagers.

When police turned up they found two youngsters buying food at a local takeaway and using a cash machine.

"the people of kent have shown they neither want nor support thuggery and violence in any form…” – alan pughsley

Officers - and reporters from KentOnline - tried to quash the rumours but they continued to spread.

There was a 43 per cent increase in inaccurate crime reports as almost 1,000 calls were made to the force control room between 6pm last night and 6am this morning.

That compares to 700 the same period last week.

The majority of calls were from people concerned about small groups of young people congregating.

Some calls reported rumours people had seen on Twitter and Facebook and other calls were about suspicious people.

In one example a call saying 40 to 50 youths had left a train at Chatham railway station and were heading for the town, when rail staff confirmed no large groups had been on the train and none could be located in the area.

Police did thank the people of Kent for helping snuff out the yob violence that sparked in Medway and Dartford - but appealed for the hoax crime reports to stop.

Overall, the county was nearly all quiet last night as no major incidents related to the attacks that marred Monday night kicked off.

What crime there was was quickly stamped out.

Early this morning six London men who travelled into the county by car were arrested for going equipped for burglary in Sevenoaks.

Small groups were also dispersed in Gravesend and Chatham and five were arrested in Gravesend for minor criminal damage.

Three of the 11 people arrested following the previous night's incidents have been released on bail. Eight remain in custody.

Officers have no intelligence to suggest there will be further disorder, but the will continue to monitor the transport networks.

Patrols will continue to prevent and disrupt criminalty.

Kent Police is appealing for people to continue to help by reporting accurate information.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: "I'd like to thank the people of Kent and Medway for their messages of support, and for the information they've given us.

"The plans we put in place last night worked very well, and we will be working hard to make sure it stays that way.

"We will continue to take a zero tolerance approach, we will support all lawful activities, but will swiftly challenge any hint of disorder.

"We sent a very clear message to anyone trying to come to Kent to attack our community to stay away or face the consequences.

"The people of Kent have shown they neither want nor support thuggery and violence in any form, and we thank them for their support last night in keeping the streets calm and peaceful, so businesses could trade normally and people could go about
unmolested.

"We will continue to have extra officers on duty across Kent and Medway."

Officers revealed yesterday that two teenagers were arrested in Kent for allegedly using Facebook and Twitter to incite a riot.

Officers swooped on the 18-year-olds from Folkestone following concerns about postings on the social network sites.

The pair, a boy and girl, were taken into custody at Folkestone Harbour at around 1.30pm and are currently being quizzed.

Police also revealed the number of suspects arrested in connection with violence in Medway rose to 11.

Guards were stationed at shopping centres and garages across Kent are refusing to sell fuel in cans as police try to prevent a repeat of the attacks.

Notices went up at petrol stations around the county advising customers that fuel will only be sold to motorists.

It is thought police feared it could be used in petrol bombs should violence spark in Kent again.

At Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe extra officers were also drafted in to ward off trouble.

"it doesn't help the police if they have people standing by and watching…” – tracey crouch mp

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the shopping centre said: "Bluewater remains open for business as usual.

"The safety and security of our guests and hosts remains our priority and we will continue to work alongside Kent police and act on their advice.

"Due to recent events, Bluewater can confirm an increased police presence has been put in place on site."

Earlier terrified residents told KentOnline about the moment violence flared across Kent.

Police and fire crews dealt with a series of yob attacks in Rainham, Dartford, Chatham and Gillingham following the widespread riots that engulfed London.

Around 15 young men, who are believed to have travelled to Medway by train, caused damage by setting several fires.

Officers have now arrested 11 men in connection with the violence who are currently being held at Medway police station.

Violence also sparked in Dartford as vandals tried to torch a community centre.

In New Street, Chatham, a terrified resident saw what he described as a Ford Focus set alight.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: "There was a group of youths and a big commotion.

"I heard the glass go from the windows then they took the handbrake off.

"It rolled and crashed straight into my son's van. He's not happy.

"The police were here in about 15 minutes. They took the car away on a low loader 'for forensics' but I don't know what forensics they'll get from a brick.

"They're all just getting on the bandwagon. I think this is down to ineffective policing."

Ten firefighters were called to Dartford's Tree Estate Community Centre in Cedar Road at 10.30pm.

Firefighters were alerted by a member of the public who said vandals poured petrol over the front door.

Although the building was set on fire, firefighters said the centre was strong enough to withstand the flames.

Kent Police maintained a presence at the centre throughout the evening.

Watch manager Lee Abel said: "We just want to reiterate the words of the government, to keep an eye on your children and know where they are.

"There are gangs of youths that are making the most of the opportunities that have arisen over the vandalism."

Mr Abel also called for communities to be vigilant in wake of the attack.

The first incident in Medway was reported at 8.30pm in Gillingham High Street which saw the men involved in confrontations with police officers.

The car fires in New Street, Chatham, were started shortly before 1am, followed by another in the Wickes car park in Maidstone Road, Chatham, at 1.07am.

A third car fire in the Chatham Tesco multi-storey car park at Eldon Street at 1.29am.

A van hit by a torced car last night in New Street, Chatham

Almost an hour later, at 2.20am, fire crews dealt with a small rubbish blaze in a shelter at Rainham High Street, Rainham, before tackling a number of bin fires in Gillingham High Street at 2.34am.

Officers also dealt with numerous incidents of criminal damage to cars.

A police spokesman said "significant police resources" had been sent to the area. There have been no further incidents reported.

"Thankfully, no-one was injured in any of the incidents. An investigation is now underway to identify all those involved."

Police have appealed for any information about the incidents and those responsible for them.

Chatham MP Tracey Crouch said: "Last night, about 15 kids came down from London intent on causing damage.

"They managed to set a few cars on fire in Chatham and there was some minor damage to buildings, but nothing was stolen.

"There were no riots in Chatham last night - there was some mindless thuggery. These are clearly minor disturbances."

Miss Crouch, who is keeping in regular contact with Kent Police Chief Constable Ian Learmonth, is due to meet Chatham traders at lunchtime.

She added: "This evening we need to be prepared and one of the things the community can do is make sure their kids are inside.

"It doesn't help the police if they have people standing by and watching.

"A lot of people are going to be very scared about what they are seeing in London and these feelings are going to be felt in towns across the country."

Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti said: "My understanding is it was a small group who have come in from outside of Medway to cause trouble and I know that the police have been dealing with it effectively.

my view

by alan mcguinness

the first thing that struck me as i walked down gillingham high street this morning was the overpowering smell of burnt rubber.

shops were beginning to open and people were spotting the damage and taking in what had happened overnight.

the front window of lloyds tsb was cracked and blackened and there was rubbish strewn outside. a large blue wheelie bin was also burnt out on one of the side roads.

a clean-up operation quickly swung into force and you could hear the loud whirr of a cleaning vehicle as it went to work. within half an hour of my arrival, the rubbish was gone.

many of the people i spoke to hadn’t heard what happened. as i described what i knew, they were shocked that the trouble seen in london had come to medway - and many feared if it might get worse.

"I think it is important to note that this is not a result of residents of Medway - it is a small group of people who have come into Medway.

"The people in Medway are great people and they are not responsible.

"I have lived in Medway for years and it is a community here and we will pull together."

Kent Police have revealed between 25 and 50 officers are being sent to London on a 24-hour basis to help the Met deal with disorder on the capital's streets.

Officers' leave hasn't been cancelled - but the force is monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Pughsley condemned also the violence in Kent.

He said: "These were mindless acts of vandalism, committed by a small minority, who have travelled to the area, intent on causing damage.

"I would state in the strongest terms that these acts of aggression will not be tolerated by Kent Police.

"Their aim was to try and create chaos, and they failed in that, thanks to swift and robust police action.

"By deploying considerable resources to the Medway area we swiftly managed to contain the incidents and have arrested significant numbers of people in connection with the criminal damage.

"Thankfully, no one was injured, but this has caused serious damage to innocent residents’ property."

"What now follows is a dedicated investigation to find each of the individuals responsible and bring them to justice.

"Preparations are also underway for any further outbreaks of violence and we will be monitoring the transport networks and streets to ensure further disruption or criminality is contained."

"Kent Police has a zero tolerance approach to criminality of any kind, and as these thugs have found out, we take decisive action against those who want to attack the community in Kent."

The violence in Kent followed outbreaks of disorder across London last night which spread to Birmingham, Liverpool and Bristol.

Prime Minister David Cameron today revealed Parliament will be called back from its break to discuss how the violence should be tackled.

In response, North Thanet MP Roger Gale said he would welcome the use of water cannons in Britain if needed to disperse the yobs.

He said: "It is absolutely right that Parliament should have the opportunity to hear from the Prime Minister and to question the action that is being taken and the facilities that are being made available to enforce the law, to restore order and to
bring to conviction and sentence those that are responsible.

"Not one of us is immune from the effects of these acts of violence and vandalism - those that have not been directly damaged today may, unless appropriate action is taken, be damaged tonight or tomorrow.

"In expressing sympathy with those that have suffered injury and loss and damage I think that we have also to condemn those - including some media commentators - who have sought to make political capital out of these riots and to somehow excuse the perpetrators as the victims of 'cuts' or 'deprivation'.

"What we have all seen reported on television is straightforward vandalism, theft, criminality and brute violence and it cannot be excused or apologised for in any way at all.

"The robust line taken by the Home Secretary and by the Prime Minister upon his return to the United Kingdom this morning indicate, I think, how very seriously the authorities are taking these matters and I would hope and expect that every measure - up to and including the use of water cannon and, if necessary, the armed forces - is deployed to protect people and property, nationwide, from further injury and damage.

"In paying tribute to the constabulary - who have certainly been stretched to the limit by unpredicted and unanticipated events over the last 48 hours - we also have to call upon the decent people of every community in the country to deny any comfort, protection or safe haven to anyone at all who has participated in, or is planning to participate in, further riots."

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Traders count the cost of last night's violence

Medway Council leader Rodney Chambers said: "It is extremely regrettable that a small number of people traveled from outside of the Medway area into Chatham and Gillingham last night to carry out mindless acts
of vandalism.

"Our colleagues in Kent Police deployed considerable resources and swiftly contained the incidents, which I understand involved 15 people who traveled here by train.

"No one was injured, but damage was caused to three cars and a number of bins.

"I would like to thank the police for their swift action, which has so far led to the arrest of 10 of these people.

"Kent Police also say they are confident that they will catch the others involved.

"We do not expect this kind of criminal activity in an area like Medway, and while it is on a much smaller scale than the events that have taken place in London over the past few days, it is traumatic and upsetting to the innocent people who have seen their property damaged.

"The council is in constant contact with the police and we are working jointly to clean up the damage caused.

"We shall, of course, continue to assist the police in whatever way we can to make sure the community of Medway is safe and protected from this criminal activity.

"I am sure that all residents across Medway will join me in deploring the actions of these people who have carried out these acts of senseless vandalism."

Officers are urging members of the public to contact them on 01622 690 690 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.