A KENT funeral director’s premises have been vandalised and he says his staff have been verbally abused.

One of Terry Allen’s properties, in Wells Road, Strood, has been damaged twice over the past few weeks.

A CCTV camera was damaged in one incident and then a large window was shattered.

Speaking to the Medway Messenger, Mr Allen said: “It’s got worse since the dispersal order finished in this area.” He said that between 10 and 40 youths congregate around the parade of shops and cause havoc.

“Last week they damaged my CCTV camera, which is not the first time it’s been done.

Then the window was shattered and it costs at least £1,000 to replace. They’ve got no respect, and verbally threaten and taunt my staff.

“They even show us rude hand gestures when we are driving the hearse - it’s horrible.

After speaking to other shopkeepers in the parade, it’s apparent I’m not the only one.”

A spokesman for Medway Police said: “A 14-year-old boy from Strood has been charged with criminal damage and a second boy has been reprimanded for damaging a camera.

“After the latest incidents we conducted house-to-house enquiries and our investigation into the latest incidents continues.”