A spate of vandalism has swept through a village, causing nearly £5,500 of damage in recent months.

Yobs have wreaked a trail of destruction at play areas and allotments, as well as setting fire to bins and stealing signs in Hoo.

Incidents include damage to a fence between Kingshill and Mill Farm, which cost £2,800 to replace, as well as to prevent children from reaching dangerous equipment.

A bench in Pottery Road, which was removed from its base, was repaired only to be dislodged again the following day. It has now been taken away because it was deemed unsafe, at a total cost of £650.

A children’s bucket swing was disconnected from its brackets and another vandalised, resulting in an emergency call-out to make the play equipment safe. The bill for this was £380.

The same amount was forked out to replace a newly installed climbing net at Kingshill Recreation Ground.

Repairs were carried out to the Brook embankment as the stream was undercutting the path to the allotments. As soon as the work was finished, 20 willow stakes were pulled out and new turf was stolen. It cost £600 to reinstate.

About £600 was also spent on a new steel bin after arsonists targeted the previous one. One of the latest incidents is fire damage to a fence and undergrowth on a footpath leading from Vidgeon Avenue to the park.

The series of incidents has prompted Mike Williams, the vice-chairman of Hoo Parish Council, to write to residents.

Mr Williams said: “These are just a few recent examples which have occurred and cost your parish council a total of £5,490. This is money which could have been spent on village improvements.

“Every Monday morning the village warden has to pick up glass from the playgrounds that has been smashed over the weekends to try to make the areas safe for us all.

“Please help us to stop this vandalism by reporting any anti-social behaviour to the police by phoning 101. Your help could save you money.”

Ward councillor Phil Filmer said he would he would be looking at ways to stamp out incidents.

Cllr Filmer said: “We have always had problems in rural areas across Medway and have done so in Allhallows in the past.

“But I shall be trying to find out why we have had this recent spate in Hoo.”