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'Catapult wielding' thugs damage 28 cars and a shop window in Sevenoaks, Wrotham, Borough Green and Plaxtol

Thugs indulged in a night of vandalism damaging at least 28 cars across the Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling areas.

Dozens of residents woke on Friday, May 6 to find car windows smashed during the night in Wrotham, Borough Green and Plaxtol, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Much of the damage is believed to have been caused by steel ball bearings fired from catapults.

Residents found their car windows had been smashed on Friday morning. Picture: Hannah Mitchem
Residents found their car windows had been smashed on Friday morning. Picture: Hannah Mitchem

Sevenoaks mum-of-four Hannah Mitchem was among those targeted. She found the passenger window of her car smashed and a steel ball bearing lodged in the driver's side footwell.

The teacher, who lives in London Road, said she and many others believed a catapult had been used to cause the damage.

She said: "It will cost me £159 to get my window repaired. That is a lot of money for me and for now I'm going to have to make do with a black bin liner.

"The people who do this have no understanding of the impact it has on other people. If they had missed they could have hit my front window.

Miss Mitchem added: "If a ball bearing hit somebody you don't know what could happen."

A steel ball bearing found in Hannah Mitchem's car
A steel ball bearing found in Hannah Mitchem's car

According to Kent Police damage to 28 cars and a shop window have been reported damaged so far.

Areas targeted include High Street and West Street in Wrotham London Road in Sevenoaks.

Neighbour Caitlyn Tytler added: "It is disgusting shows such a lack of respect. They [the vandals] clearly weren't in their right mind."

"You don't know what people have done, how hard they have worked for their cars and that is their personal property.

Borough Green resident Savannah Cox's car was also targeted. In post on Facebook on Friday she said: "Someone thought it would be funny to smash everyone's windows in the village at 3 o'clock this morning."

Lindsey Marchant said she saw the damage when driving through Wrotham.

She said: "I could not believe the damage everywhere.

"I am sure they will find out who it was. I feel sorry for you all - it's disgusting.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Kent Police has received reports of a number of vehicles being damaged in the Plaxtol and Sevenoaks areas between 5 and 6 May.

"A total of 28 vehicles and a shop window have been reported to have been damaged to date."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police via the West Kent appeals line on 01622 604100 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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