A WOMAN was attacked in front of her children in what police have described as "an outrageous and unprovoked incident".

The attack followed what her husband claims is a long running campaign of racist abuse.

A 15-year-old girl has been arrested and cautioned. Detectives say they are investigating whether offences were committed during other incidents.

Alina Monogenis was buying fish and chips in Strood when the attack took place. Her husband, Theo Monogenis, says she was punched in the face five times and taken to hospital with bruises to the right eye and head as well as neck injuries.

Mr Monogenis, who is Greek, says he and his Polish wife Alina were forced to leave their home in Canal Road, Strood, because of consistent abuse.

He said: "It began with a boy aged about 12 who gave us lot of abuse. He fired an air gun and threw bottles and eggs at our windows, and constantly threw bricks and other rubbish into the garden.

"When I complained to his mother she was racially abusive and said my wife and I should go back to where we came from."

He said that even after the family moved, the abuse didn’t stop. Alina and their three sons aged six, nine and 11, were constantly threatened as they walked to school in Rochester.

On one recent occasion as they crossed Rochester Bridge, they were threatened with a brick, he said.

Even after the incident in Paulley’s fish and chip shop, the abuse continued, the family say.

A woman and a girl had entered the shop where Alina works and issued threats. Because of this Alina had to return home, losing pay.

"I have called the police several times about this, but nothing seems to get done," said Mr Monogenis. "They keep saying they will come out, but then they don’t arrive.

"When eventually they did come, all they said they could do was to caution the girl who attacked my wife. That leaves the family free to carry on the abuse.

"This situation has been going on for years and I am at the end of my tether. I am self-employed and it’s difficult for me to be at home all the time to protect my family. I could lose my business over this."