There’s nothing new in criticising the “youth of today”.

In fact, as far back as the 17th century, diarist Samuel Pepys had a lot to say about young people’s falling morals and everyday standards.

As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Pepys had strong connections to Kent – as secretary of the Admiralty, he established Sheerness Dockyard.

Now fast forward 357 years and Sheppey has once again come into focus, but for all the wrong reasons.

A recent increase in vandalism is being blamed on “government cuts, a failing education system and poor parenting”, with children there being labelled as “feral”.

But how fair is this assessment? KentOnline went out and about on the Island to find out.

It’s ironic that four of the most prominent recent vandalism cases happened within a five-minute walk of what’s left of Pepys’ dockyard. Maybe he was right after all?

Over the last six months, vandals have burnt down the much-loved playground castle at the Beachfield’s sandpit, damaged parked cars owned by staff from nearby Wiggles Playgroup, thrown paint and glass in the outside paddling pool at Sheppey Leisure Complex and pulled plants from flower beds in Marine Town.

Further afield on the Island, yobs have destroyed war memorials by the Minster Gatehouse Museum and set fire to seaside toilets.

Speaking of the paddling pool incident, county councillor Andy Booth (Con), who is also chairman of Swale Community Leisure, is firm in his views.

He said: "We see yet another disgraceful display of mindless vandalism at our extremely popular complex.

“The site over the years has been subjected to actions by feral children destroying family-fun activities and facilities; this is yet another sad day and I really feel sorry for those who chose to do this.

"The lack of quality education on Sheppey has to be a primary factor here, frustrated children take out their angst and cause criminal damage that sets the site back and costs thousands of pounds to get back in action.

“It’s another sad day and a reflection of the unfortunate real lives that some have.”

Sheppey – for years Kent’s poor relation – has long-running and deeply-ingrained problems, with unemployment and health inequalities rife.

Males in some parts of the Island live on average five years less than men in Maidstone.

When the £60m Sheppey Academy opened more than a decade ago, it was supposed to be the silver-bullet solution to the area’s education problems.

But fantastic facilities have proven no match for a myriad of social problems which have seen the school battle to make the grade - Ofsted are regular visitors and probably have their own parking space.

However, if anyone knows what makes Island kids tick, it’s Sheerness County Youth Centre boss Ray Featherstone, who’s been in place since 1961.

The 79-year-old has seen it all, but says something has definitely gone seriously wrong of late.

He said: "I worked through the Mods and Rockers’ days where there were two conflicting youth subcultures of the late 1950s to mid-1960s, there was a lot of fighting between the groups.

"But in my opinion, today's kids are worse. There wasn't any knife crime back then. There were only punch-ups.

"The kids fought but they also respected their elders, they're not like that today and I think a main reason for that is because there is a lack of police on the Island."

But the problems go further: “Youth work is reducing as well and that’s because the volunteering sector is very poor at the moment.

“There isn’t anything for young people to do and because of that teenagers trying to have some fun suddenly start doing something illegal instead.”

The Berridge Road resident hosts his youth club three nights a week – offering as many as 60 youngsters a place to go to use computers, play pool, table tennis, socialise and have fun.

However, due to a lack of support and volunteers, he can only be open for so many nights – meaning there are a few days when children living nearby have nothing to do.

He added: “There aren’t any other youth centres like the one in Sheerness in other areas across the Island.

“That is why I start asking questions like ‘Where was the nearest youth group to the Abbey Gate House where the war memorials were vandalised?’

“There aren’t any. When young people are occupied and have somewhere to go they’re ok, they’re not being vandals.

“But sadly many children don’t have somewhere to go on the Island.

“I blame the government cuts which saw services like youth groups disappear from Kent.”

In January there was backlash after KCC outlined plans to close 35 children’s centres under a far-reaching reorganisation of the way community services are provided.

The authority was beginning a review of the way it organises a range of services it said could save £6m this year.

The announcement put five children’s centres in Swale borough at risk of closing.

These were the St Mary's Children's Centre in Faversham, Grove Park Children's Centre in Borden, Ladybird Children's Centre in Queensborough, Beaches Children's Centre in Sheppey East and New House Youth and Sports Centre.

Ray added: “What have kids got to do on the Island? They’re causing havoc to entertain themselves.

“It seems like people still haven’t learnt this. Children have nothing else to do than set fire to toilets or play equipment.

“There are many issues on the Island and vandalism is just one of them.”

But not everyone shares Ray’s and Cllr Booth’s assessment that the kids need facilities.

Minster resident Emily, 29, has lived on the Island her whole life and feels problems start at home.

The mum-of-one said: “The vandalism in Minster is really bad.

“The bus stops are always getting smashed up and as soon as they’re fixed they get vandalised and smashed again.

“The glass goes everywhere and it's not only dangerous for the kids but also animals.

“I don’t think it is fair to blame the Island’s education system for the actions of these vandals.

“Learning and education is what is meant to be taught at schools, morals and manners should be taught by the parents.

“Young people’s upbringings are the issue.”

Despite the doom and gloom, there could be hope on the horizon, according to newly-elected county councillor Mike Whiting (Con).

He’s confirmed new ward police officers are being introduced to help crackdown on vandalism.

He said: "There is a small minority who appear to take pleasure in not only destroying people's property but damaging the environment in which they and their families live. It's mindless.

"Recent changes to policing in Kent have meant the loss of most PCSOs on local beats, but new ward PCs are to be introduced, and I look forward to meeting them and discussing what more can be done to catch those involved in these wanton acts of destruction.

"I have already raised the question of CCTV in Queenborough and other matters of anti-social behaviour.”

This is clearly good news, but according to some the vandalism is a symptom of a wider Island decline.

New Zealanders Gaye and Wim Slot have been staying in their daughter’s holiday home in Sheerness while visiting the UK.

The couple have travelled to the Island on four occasions over the years – each time noticing another negative factor.

Gaye, who is in her 70s, believes lots of things have rolled together to encourage the vandalism.

She said: “Since we were here five years ago the cleanliness has definitely deteriorated in Sheerness.

“There is rubbish everywhere, weeds and people don’t seem to be bothered about how the area looks.

“The town has become unkempt and unloved due to the pandemic and the economic crisis.

“Because of that, there isn’t anything encouraging young people to look after where they live.

“That is why I think there is an increase in vandalism.”

Another visitor was 39-year-old mum-of-three Lorraine from Greenwich, who said: “The sandpit is disgusting. It used to be a lovely place.

“I can’t believe the state of it now, it is ruined for the little ones.

“It was a great place for the kids to play and now the sand is just littered with glass.

“We’ve been coming to Sheppey during the half term and summer holiday because there aren’t many public play places like this where we live.

“We didn’t know the castle had been burnt down so that was a shock to see when we turned up.

“The Island has gone downhill.”