“Disrespectful” catapult-wielding yobs have repeatedly targeted veterans in their homes, smashing windows and even injuring one ex-serviceman with a rock.

One victim of the attacks is an 84-year-old former Royal Navy sailor, while another is a 52-year-old former Royal Artilleryman who suffers with PTSD having served during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The homes under fire, in London Road East in Aylesford, are part of the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) village which provides housing and support to more than 300 ex-military personnel and their families.

They are not far from where the Royal British Legion is currently making its Remembrance Day poppies,

Just last month Princess Anne visited the charity to open its new Centenary Village in Hermitage Lane, where the latest wing will provide an additional 40 new homes for disadvantaged ex-service personnel.

The repeated attacks have been going on for weeks, the last of which happened on Sunday.

The wife of the former Royal Artilleryman said: “It is absolutely hideous. So abhorrent. That they could do this to someone suffering from PTSD after serving his country”.

“All these houses are occupied by veterans. It is so disrespectful.”

The offenders are a group of youths, sometimes numbering five or more. They hide in the bushes on the opposite side of the road and when challenged run off down a track.

One victim, who asked not to be named, said: “I work from home for the NHS 101 service.

“I was actually on the phone to a patient when they smashed my study window.”

She has had windows broken on four separate occasions.

The Northern Ireland veteran, who went out to remonstrate with the culprits, was greeted with a torrent of abuse and had a rock thrown at him, which cut his leg and resulted in a large swelling.

Since hearing about the attacks on social media, one well-wisher has offered to pay for a CCTV camera to be installed in a bid to prevent further missiles being aimed at the homes and their residents.

Lisa Farmer, chief executive of the RBLI, said: “Several of our houses on London Road have been targeted by vandals who we believe have used catapults to break the front windows.

“The houses are secure and we have ordered replacement windows. We do not condone this senseless act of vandalism against our veterans and their safety remains our priority.

“The matter is now being handled by the police.”

Kent Police said: “We have been investigating several incidents where criminal damage has been caused to homes in the London Road area of Aylesford.

“Between September and October, at least three properties have had windows broken by objects believed to have been fired from catapults.

“Patrols in the area have been increased and inquiries to identify those responsible, including house-to-house and the review of any CCTV opportunities, are ongoing.”

Anyone with information which may help the investigation should contact Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/181760/23.