Yobs who caused £40,000 of damage to new houses have been condemned by locals.

The damage has been caused by stones hurled at the development along Marine Parade, Sheerness, opposite the sea wall.

Site manager Anthony Ralph discovered the damage when he turned up for work last Thursday morning and said they knew how it had been done when they found pebbles inside some of the properties.

Of the eight semi-detached houses which are being built, six of them have been damaged and now have dozens of holes in the white facia-boards.

Almost 20 of the windows and French doors have also been smashed.

Mr Ralph, who has been working on the site with his team since September last year, said it is not the first time they have had trouble and in the past have had thefts from the site too. Some of the houses were close to completion and were being decorated inside. Mr Ralph said they will now have to come up with an alternative to the white cladding as they fear it will happen again.

He said: “I’m a developer myself so I know how the owners are feeling and for the workers and myself it’s gutting.”

It has also outraged Cllr Adrian Crowther, who lives in The Leas, Minster, and regularly drives past the buildings, and the landlord of the nearby Ship on Shore pub was not surprised.

Cllr Crowther said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s outrageous.

“How dare they be so malicious and nasty to throw stones – it’s utterly pointless.

“Double glazed windows take some smashing and it’s a fair distance to throw them.

“I have been watching those going up thinking how nice they are and what a lovely view they will have.”

Fred Mawhinney, from the pub, said they have lots of trouble along Marine Parade and it usually happens during school holidays.

He said: “If we are going to get any vandalism it’s going to be in the holidays. We get them walking through ripping wing mirrors off and breaking glass.”

Investigating officer DC Alison Phillips said: “We received a report of criminal damage on a construction site on Marine Parade.

“Between 5pm on April 20 and 7am on April 21, six of eight houses under construction were vandalised.

“It would appear heavy objects were thrown at the buildings and caused extensive damage to the windows and fascia boards, which will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

“Inquiries are currently ongoing. If anyone has information on this incident, please contact officers on 01795 419182.”