A cancer patient missed an important hospital appointment after yobs trashed his car.

Keith Larking had previously tackled youngsters using catapults to target property and animals.

It seems they attacked his Land Rover Discovery in revenge - slashing tyres, breaking the wing mirrors and scratching the paintwork.

The 64-year-old discovered the damage on the day he was due at Medway hospital for checks on the progress of treatment for bladder cancer.

He was forced to call and cancel the appointment and couldn’t get another for more than a month.

Unemployed Mr Larking, who lives in Minster, Sheppey, says the attack on his vehicle is the latest in a line of issues concerning catapult-wielding yobs.

He said: "Seeing groups of lads killing birds and shooting whatever they can has been going on for more than a year now.

"They shot my car and caused quite a lot of damage but also keyed it, slashed the tyres and damaged the wing mirrors.

"A couple of lights were broken as well, as was my reversing camera.

"It's made me feel really angry as it has stopped me from having the appointment at the hospital.

"When you live on this Island and don't have a vehicle you're obviously stuck and that's why I had to call the urology department and cancel the appointment.

"It has been rescheduled for the second week in August, so it has caused a lot of inconvenience.

"I suffer badly from anxiety and that's also made it even harder to do things.

"I'm annoyed at the police as well, as I have been reporting stuff to do with catapults since last year but not once has anything ever been dealt with.”

The dad-of-two isn’t alone in seeing his vehicle damaged as the Island is plagued by yobbish behaviour.

Rushenden resident Steven Wayne discovered his vehicle’s windscreen smashed when it was parked in Eastchurch Road, Eastchurch.

The 40-year-old explained: "I got a phone call from one of my mates saying ‘have you seen your van's been smashed?’ But I thought he was joking at first.

"When I arrived, the windscreen had been attacked and someone had also attempted to do the side windows with what I think is a hammer.

"They'd also managed to open the bonnet, and the dipstick had been thrown onto the floor with the oil cap removed.

"I lost my job about six months ago and put all my savings into buying a recovery truck to help sell second-hand cars.

"But this damage has stopped me doing my job and ruined my livelihood.

"I can't claim on my insurance either as I only have third-party cover - I also don't know if they've tampered with my engine."

Of particular concern to many people in Minster is the targeting of animals.

Although is not illegal to own a catapult in public in England, an arrest is possible if it is clear one has been used to cause damage or harm.

Rhonda Bingham, who is a friend of Mr Larking, believes the use of the weapons is now "out of control".

The 46-year-old is more concerned than ever and fearful more animals and vulnerable people will suffer.

She said: "Everything started happening shortly after the lockdown finished when I noticed there were barely any squirrels at the park in Love Lane.

"There used to be a lot of them, but I thought nothing much of it at first and assumed it was something like bird flu going around.

"That was until I started finding squirrels and pigeons dead.

"I then spotted an incident by the beach about two weeks ago when these youngsters looked like they were shooting seagulls.

"But it's not just animals - they have been terrorising houses too and attacking basically anything they can fire their weapons at.

"That has included some blackbirds as well, so it's out of control and becoming a catapult pandemic in the area.

"Nothing is monitored as well as it should be, so when you do ask for help it can take a long time for things to be looked at.

"It worries me as there are a lot of elderly people nearby who could be targeted next, as these people seem to be capable of anything."

Sheerness County Youth Centre senior youth worker, Ray Featherstone, 79, says he has had no choice but to introduce signs outside the club warning catapults will be confiscated should they be found.

He said: "This has become more serious than the vandalism issues we've been having.

"People can get hurt with catapults and that's why I'm trying to raise awareness.

"It's a dangerous situation and nobody should be using them because it's unnecessary cruelty."

The number of incidents involving catapults has also been commonplace in Sittingbourne this year.

The mother of a teenage girl shot in June says the attack was "a huge concern" given other incidents had also been reported in the area previously.

It led police to release a statement asking members of the public to submit evidence of catapult-only attacks to their website.

Sheppey West county councillor Mike Whiting acknowledges people need to do the same on the Island if they believe similar attacks have happened.

He said: "This issue is something which has been raised at Minster and Sheerness parish/town council meetings.

"The police are aware of this appalling behaviour and it causing a lot of distress.

"That's why I urge people to report it to the police as that's the best way action can then be taken."

A police spokesman confirmed officers had been called to the Wards Hill Road area of Minister on July 11 after reports of a damaged vehicle.

A spokesman added: “Anyone with any information is urged to call Kent Police on 01795 419119, quoting 46/122956/23.

“Officers from Swale's Neighbourhood Task Force are working to identify those behind any anti-social behaviour in the area and take action against them.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour of all kinds is a central part of Kent Police's Safer Summer initiative, which sees officers taking part in a range of operations to address issues affecting their communities.

“Residents are urged to report incidents or concerns about anti-social behaviour through the Kent Police website, or by calling 999 if a crime is in progress.”