A COUPLE say they are being consistently targeted by hooligans who have smashed windows, thrown eggs, banged on windows and kicked at doors.

Kevin Isted, of The Vineries, Gillingham, says he was even kicked by the mother of one of the youths while he was giving a statement to police.

Now the couple want Moat Housing, who own properties in The Vineries, to take action to prevent the abuse.

Mr Isted’s partner Sarah Rist said the problems began on Boxing Day when garden equipment, including a strimmer and hedgecutter, were stolen from a garden shed.

“A few days later a side window in our car was smashed,” she said. “Now we get harassment all the time. I can’t go out on my own.

“Every weekend there’s something. They kick the doors, bang hard on the windows and generally make a nuisance of themselves.

“A few days ago a boy aged about 10 threw something at the window shattering it. We called the police and they were very good, arriving within about 10 minutes and chasing after the youths.”

Mr Isted said it was while he was giving a police officer a statement that there was a knock on the door. When he opened it the mother of one of the youths aimed a kick between his legs.

“Fortunately I was able to turn sideways just in time,” he said.

He added that in addition to the vandalism the youths subjected Mrs Rist and himself to verbal abuse, and had even threatened to burn the house.

A spokesman for Moat Housing said: “We appreciate that Mrs Rist and Mr Isted have come forward and we are investigating the concerns they have raised.

“It is important that people notify us when there are problems so that we can work together to try and resolve them. At Moat we take all matters relating to anti-social behaviour very seriously.

“There are conditions within the tenancy agreements that require people to behave in a reasonable manner. Where evidence supports allegations of anti-social behaviour we will take action.

“Residents need to be aware that their actions could jeopardise their tenancy and they could lose their homes if they behave anti-socially.”