MORE than 40 cars parked at or near a Kent railway station had paintwork scratched or windows smashed.

The incident occurred at Knockholt station, near Sevenoaks, last Thursday.

On the following two days there were eight incidents where garden walls or fences in the Bradbourne/St John’s area of Sevenoaks were damaged.

Sevenoaks District Ch Insp Gillian Ellis said: "This is mindless criminal behaviour that is simply unacceptable. I have instructed officers that a zero tolerance approach is required."

She added: "These recent incidents stand out because of the sheer scale of the damage and they overshadow the good work that has been taking place where a number of people have been arrested for criminal damage.

"What is clear is that a large percentage of the damage in the Sevenoaks area is being done by young people, mostly boys.

"Parents must start taking some responsibility for this. It is not always easy but parents should know where their children are and what they are doing and people with information should be contacting police or Crimestoppers."

Recent arrests have included, on Friday, February 16, the arrest of three boys at Broughton Manor underpass following a call from a member of the public who reported seeing people spraying graffiti in the area.

On Saturday, February 17, a 16-year-old local boy was arrested for threats to cause criminal damage at The Well, Kemsing, and on Wednesday, February 14, a 16-year-old from Knockholt was arrested for criminal damage in the local area dating back to February 2006.

The police say the operation to combat the criminal damage will include both visible policing and covert tactics to identify offenders.

A spokeswoman added: "Officers will be working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure offenders are dealt with as robustly as possible."