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A man is calling for increased police patrols at Halloween after reports of a resident being attacked by a gang of teenagers when he confronted them for egging his house.
Andrew Kuipers, from Kings Hill, posted on Facebook expressing his concern that if the community didn't "act now" the problem of anti-social behaviour at Halloween may get worse.
Kent Police confirmed it was called out to a house on a road off Eden Way, Kings Hill, at around 10.30pm yesterday to reports of a man being assaulted after he confronted people who egged his house. He was also racially abused.
One member said on Facebook a group of 15 teenagers attacked the man.
The victim did not suffer any serious injuries and there is an ongoing investigation underway.
The incident was linked to reports of eggs being thrown at a house.
In his post, Mr Kuipers states he plans to organise a meeting with Kings Hill Parish Council and PCSO Wendy Stanley, part of the local policing team for Tonbridge and Malling.
Mr Kuipers said: "What happened last night was outrageous. I’ve lived on Kings Hill for seven Halloweens now and each year the anti-social behaviour has got worse.
"We need patrols of police and members of our community on Halloween night and a high presence of Kings Hill security around Asda, Waitrose, and Liberty Square. This has got to happen or the community will become a no go area later on Halloween evening."
Sarah Barker, chairwoman of the parish council, said: "I will be getting in touch with Kent Police to discuss how we deal with these issues as a matter of urgency.
"Whilst the parish council has not seen an increase in police reports as yet, it does take the perception of residents' safety very seriously and will work with the police and community safety team to address this."
Insp Kerry Rothwell, of the Tonbridge and Malling community safety unit, said: "Historically we tend to see a small increase in complaints around anti-social behaviour at this time of year.
"We always ensure there are designated and enhanced patrols in place providing high visibility and reassurance across a number of areas, including Kings Hill.
"This year, dispersal orders were also put in place in Kings Hill and other areas to move on groups of people believed to be causing anti-social behaviour or who may have been intimidating members of the public."
There were other accounts of violence in Kings Hill that evening mentioned on Facebook.
Emma Emin, who was out with a group of youth runners, said she saw a boy being beaten up outside Asda, on Alexander Grove.
She wrote: "It looked like the young boy, who must have been 14ish, was quite badly hurt, visibly to his face, but must be hurt all over by the amount of blows he took.
"We had to turn back but my assistant did try and get a security guard from Asda with no luck.
After ensuring all runners were home safely, she drove back to see if she could find the boy and take him home but he was nowhere to be seen.
Kent Police confirmed it didn't receive any reports about the suspected assault.
Elsewhere, Michelle Brooker, said a teenager spat in her face outside Tesco in Grovewood Drive North, Maidstone, after she challenged them about their aggression.
She said: "To the 30 kids outside Tesco and the 13-year-old that spat in my face after I confronted you for aggression and the police being called three times I am beyond mortified I had to hide in Tesco until I felt safe to walk home."
In response, one woman said she had an egg thrown at her while she stood talking to a neighbour.
The woman said there were six police officers in the Grove Green and Weavering area last night after reports of eggs and flour being thrown at houses and cars on The Hedgerow, Harrow Way and Shepherds Gate Drive.
She added: "They were aiming at us. I am considering moving. They are really intimidating and it is getting worse."
She witnessed large groups of up to 80 teenagers taking sweets from children and adults.
Several people have called for an ID check scheme to be enforced on Halloween.
Another member of the group said she planned to contact retail head offices and suggest that buying eggs and flour should require staff approval at the checkout.
In amongst the anti-social behaviour, a bus crashed in Wouldham.
The 155 service between Chatham and Maidstone clipped a wall on the High Street near The Medway Inn, causing delays.
Witnesses saw a woman dressed as a witch directing traffic.
A Kent Police spokesman said the force had worked closely with its partners and local businesses to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour related issues, visiting and encouraging shops to prevent the sale of eggs and flour to young people and reminding ‘trick or treaters’ to respect the wishes of those residents, including vulnerable older people, who may not wish to be disturbed.
It is appealing for information regarding the reported assault near Eden Way, Kings Hill.
Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/209343/19.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org
Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone
