POLICE are stepping up patrols in Queenborough on Sheppey which is suffering a plague of hooliganism and vandalism. Senior officers say they are "paying particular interest" to the area, especially since the primary school was hit twice by thugs who caused damage valued at £1,150.

The heightened police presence comes after Queenborough Mayor Cllr Mick Constable called for action against bored and despondent teenagers roaming the streets. A total of 14 windows were smashed at the school in separate attacks, days apart.

A school spokesman said: "Children do play near the school out-of-hours. We do our best to discourage it, but we are concerned that someone might get hurt. We are also worried that someone may cut themselves on a slither of glass while in school, even though our caretaker is excellent and does his utmost to clear up all the glass. These events are demoralising the students and are causing a small amount of disruption."

Insp Ian Williams, who is coordinating the effort, said youngsters who cause damage should think long and hard about what they are doing. He also pledged to take a hard line with the culprits.