Yobs with baseball bats have reportedly wreaked havoc in a residential area - "attacking people in their front gardens and trashing the streets".

Whitstable residents have described last night's scenes of "chaos", which saw police arrest a teenage boy after a man in his 50s was assaulted.

One woman reported seeing a group of "possibly 20 plus boys in their late teens going around Joy Lane destroying people's gardens, tipping over their bins and trying to attack people".

Taking to Facebook last night to warn others to "steer clear" of the area, she wrote: "They’re damaging people’s houses until people come out and then confronting them and trying to hurt them.

"It started in Columbia Avenue and they are now spread out over Joy Lane.

"Police have been notified and are handling the situation. But please stay indoors for your own safety!"

When police later arrived, she added: "Police vans gathering them up but they do have baseball bats. Please steer clear as I know it’s bank holiday and lots of people out. If they’re in your front garden rest assured someone will be there soon to deal with it!"

The woman told how her father and boyfriend had gone outside to see if they could help other residents, after hearing "chaos" in the street outside.

"They were concerned about people getting hurt, so they were just there to try and help if possible," she said.

She estimated the youths were between 14 and 20 years old, and described them swearing and "attacking people in their front gardens and trashing the streets".

"They have let our lovely little town down," she said. "They should be so ashamed of themselves."

Elderly people were later seen picking up litter from their front gardens.

Police say one teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of assault, the nature of which is not known.

Officers were called at about 9.45pm to a report "a group of boys who were behaving antisocially" in Columbia Avenue.

A spokesman said: "Two boys are said to have intentionally pushed over wheelie bins and another two are said to have assaulted a man in his 50s, with no serious injuries reported.

"They have caused so much harm and damage..."

"Officers attended and escorted two boys, who are aged 16 and 15, home.

"The 16-year-old has since been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody as inquiries continue.

"Inquiries to establish the full circumstances remain ongoing."

Residents have been left shocked by last night's incidents.

One said: "Hope everyone is OK. Never in a million years I would of thought it will happen in Whitstable."

"They have caused so much harm and damage," said another.

Others have raised the long-rumbling issue of policing in the town, and suggested there should be a more visible presence of officers to help combat antisocial behaviour.

"It's sad we have so few police in Whitstable. I'm not blaming the police for this," said one resident. "We need more support so those involved know they won't get away with it."

Another said: "We need to have more of a police presence in the town."

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