A vandal who caused thousands of pounds of damage to a pedestrian crossing has been urged to stop before a child or elderly person is killed.

The box housing the button people trying to cross the road in Cage Green near Tonbridge would press was smashed up into pieces and left with an ominous message for Kent County Council.

It was left with a message made out of cut-out letters saying: “Yo KCC, this is the last button. This cost you big time. You now [sic] what you did in 2012.”

People regularly use the crossing in Shipbourne Road near White Cottage Road and not far from Leigh Academy High Christie and Cage Green Primary School.

Kent county councillor for Tonbridge, Cllr Mark Hood (Green), said the issue had been going on since 2021 and was “frustrating”.

He said: “It’s mindless because whoever is doing this, they’ve obviously got a grudge against somebody but they’re taking it out on the community.

“We’ve got a huge amount of school children who use the crossing every day as well as elderly people who live here and use it to access shops. It’s placing them in huge danger.”

Cllr Hood said the council was in talks with the local authority and police about what to do next, and could even see the crossing panels removed permanently.

He added: “I don’t know if this is someone’s fantasy or if there’s anything behind it, but we’ve got an email address so if someone’s got a problem they can get in touch with us.

“We’re elected to represent all of our residents, so why go to these extremes? It’s much easier to get on your computer and laptop and send some emails than stick some lettering to a destroyed panel.

“They cost about £3,500 to replace each time, so this cost is really adding up. If it continues, when do we draw the line?”

Addressing the vandal directly, the councillor said: “By doing this you’re placing your neighbours at risk, children and elderly people at risk of being hit by a car.

“Just have a think about what you’re doing and beyond yourself about the impact on the community.”