by Anna Roberts

aroberts@thekmgroup.co.uk

Catapult-wielding children gate-crashed a church wedding before clambering all over the bride and groom's horse and carriage.

The same youths - some as young as 10 - are believed to be behind the mysterious death of a bird in the sleepy Kent village of Headcorn.

A villager saw them walking away from Spires Ash Lake, off Grigg Lane, armed with a catapult.

Minutes later the still body of a duck was discovered.

The marauding youngsters have also been blamed for taking pot-shots at windows and trees with catapults and damaging street-lamps.

They stole three wheelie bins from Oakfarm Gardens, dragged them to Hoggs Bridge Green - a local beauty spot - and torched them.

This has led to Headcorn Parish Council urging people to hide their bins out of site.

Police say they are taking the reports seriously and have already launched a clamp down.

People have also reported children racing around on BMX bikes and shouting out swear words in the middle of the village.

It is understood police have now increased patrols in a bid to halt the troublemaking children, who hang around in groups of about 10.

There is speculation the children come not just from Headcorn but also other villages including Staplehurst and Marden.

Chairman of Headcorn Parish Council Tim Thomas said: "There is a set of youngster who are a bit out of control.

"They have catapults and have been breaking street lamps and shooting at wildlife and windows.

"They have taken three recycling bins and set them alight and done damage to trees.

"There have been a lot of calls to the police complaining about it. The anti-social behaviour unit have been in contact and have spoken to people's parents.

"If the parents are not willing or can't take action the police are dealing with it."

He said the youths were also hanging around in gangs outside Sainsbury's in Headcorn.

"They even broke into the church when Julia, who runs the florist in the village, was getting married," he added.

"They climbed all over the horse and carriage."

A woman villager, who asked not to be named, added: "There were three bins set alight in one weekend which is very irresponsible. The fires did not spread too far which is a godsend but the ground has all been burnt out.

"The young people are not respectful of the area and people's property.

"They are deliberately trying to destroy some of the beautiful landscape and wildlife.

"Then there are general misdemeanours and anti-social behaviour including noise.

"A lot of the elderly residents of Headcorn feel scared and intimidated."

Insp Ian Sandwell said: "We are taking a tough line with the reports of anti-social behaviour in Headcorn.

The Neighbourhood Task Team have been working in the area along with Special Constables and the dedicated ASB car being deployed there, to respond to calls and deter nuisance behaviour from young people.

"During these patrols a 15 year old was arrested for assaulting another teenager, a car was seized for having no insurance, alcohol has been seized from those under age and poured away and we have been visiting the homes of those causing the nuisance behaviour to inform their parents and ensure that it stops."

Officers have also been visiting a different street every week to listen to people's concerns.

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