YOUNG arsonists are endangering lives and property in Queenborough after destroying a gate which protected the town from flood waters.

Businessman Paul Stevens, managing director of fertiliser manufacturers Sheppy Ltd, said:“It has left Queenborough completely undefended.”

Mr Stevens, whose premises in Rushenden Road are next to the sea wall, added: “If we get high winds and tides there will be nothing to stop the water coming over the edge.”

During the incident at Chalk Wharf, which Mr Stevens believes happened on Wednesday afternoon, youngsters set fire to the heavy wooden flood gate at Chalk Wharf. He thinks the fire smouldered all night and by Thursday morning the gate had been burnt down.

The gate, which stood on Sheppy Ltd’s land, could cost between £15,000 and £20,000 to replace. It was installed many years ago by the Environment Agency but Mr Stevens believes his firm could be liable for all or part of the cost of replacing it, which could take some time.

Environment Agency staff have been to inspect the damage and the incident, the latest in a series involving local teenagers, has been reported to the police.

Over the last two months, youngsters have tried to set fire to the gate several times and have burnt nearby scrubland.

They also set fire to two abandoned factory units, due to be demolished. Smoke alerted staff to those fires, which could have spread to the rest of the site.

Youngsters have risked plunging through the factory roof by climbing up scaffolding being used during roof repairs. They threw timber and crawling boards off the roof.

Mr Stevens added: “Some of the roof panels are perspex, and how they did not fall through, I do not know. They are putting themselves at considerable risk.

“They are completely out of control. I fear for the safety of individuals. If this carries on someone will get seriously hurt.”