Vandals have done “significant” damage to a beauty spot which has seen a “depressing” rise in anti-social behaviour this year.

Yobs struck at the Buckland Hill pocket nature reserve in Maidstone on Sunday.

They ripped up newly installed fencing and used the poles to damage the liner of a newly created pond.

Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem), cabinet member for planning policy and management at Maidstone council, said: “The posts and rails were torn up from the side of the new pond where street drinkers tend to congregate.

“They were then used as missiles to try to split the pond liner.

“The unearthed posts and most of the rails were left floating in the pond.

“Other logs, used as path edgings, were also thrown into the ponds. When we recovered those we found wildlife clinging to them like life rafts.”

Cllr Harwood said in future the fence posts would be cemented into the ground and the reserve might need to be secured at night.

He added: “Regular patrols and some enforcement of nuisance drinking would help.

“It’s all a bit depressing as there have not been any issues in the past.

“But 2024 has seen regular vandalism, industrial scale cable-stripping, large fires, regular tented rough-sleeper communities in the reserve, lager and vodka bottles discarded by the score, and dog-fouling occurring daily.

“Local people are very annoyed by the damage and ask why the offenders are allowed to get away with such destructive behaviour.”

The reserve, owned by Maidstone council, is home to some uncommon flora and fauna, including stoneworts and palmate newts.

The pond was recently installed by Medway Valley Countryside Partnership staff and volunteers.

Anyone who sees future incidents of destructive behaviour occurring is asked to phone the police immediately.