TEMPERS flared when teenage yobs hurled abuse at residents during a public meeting held to discuss anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

The meeting was called after the arson attack on St David's Church in Newton Close, Lordswood, Chatham, in January.

Nearly 300 people packed the hall at Spinnens Acre School to discuss what could be done to prevent repeated acts of vandalism in the Lordswood area. But the meeting almost descended into chaos when a group of youths who had congregated outside the hall were brought in to face the meeting.

Once inside, some of the youths shouted obscenities at residents. Some people found it hard to curb their anger and police officers had to lead the teenagers outside.

MP Jonathan Shaw had called the meeting to give residents a chance to describe their experiences. Supt David Pryde, Medway Police commander, attended to answer questions from the public. He promised another meeting in six weeks and increased police activity in the most troubled areas.

After the meeting Mr Shaw said: "The level of anger and concern has been building up within the community for some time and the arson attack on St David's Church has been the final straw for many.

"That's why I called the public meeting in order that the community could express its view collectively.

"The local residents provided a catalogue of concern and incidents of which some are extremely serious that are impacting on their quality of life. The issues present some difficulties but are by no means insurmountable."