Pub bosses have been left mystified after a seemingly random attack from a vandal who smashed six windows.

CCTV footage recorded at about 2.15am this morning shows the yob lurking outside The Bell Inn in High Street, Minster, near Ramsgate.

The hooded person then smashes several windows in quick succession, leaving bosses facing a costly bill just before Christmas.

Baffled landlords Debbie and Keith Barnett said: “We have had no trouble or barred any person from our establishment.

“This was a totally malicious attack and has taken us all by surprise as to why we were targeted.”

A bar manager at the pub, who asked not to be named, told KentOnline: “It’s truly bizarre. Looking at the video it just seems like someone randomly walking past the pub and just smashing the windows.

“It’s unusual for a village like this to have these sorts of things happen – we don’t know the meaning behind it at all.

“Nobody was hurt – so as much of a nuisance as it is, we just have to get on and hope nobody tries to do something like this again.”

Six of the windows were smashed, while a separate pane was cracked.

It is believed due to the age of the property and the glass, glaziers will need to evaluate the damage before being able to determine whether or not any specialist work will be required.

In the worst-case scenario, The Bell faces a potential five-figure bill.

The vandalism comes within months of another major incident at a pub managed by the couple.

In October, the Racing Greyhound in Ramsgate went up in flames, with Mrs Barnett praising the heroic actions of the quick-thinking staff for saving the establishment.

Anyone with information regarding the vandalism at The Bell can contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 09-0274.

A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police is investigating criminal damage reported to have taken place in the High Street in Minster.

“It was reported at 7.24am on Saturday 9 December 2023 that several windows of a commercial property had been broken in the early hours of the same morning.

“The victims have been spoken to by officers and enquiries are continuing.”