MEDIEVAL VILLAGE MENTIONED IN UK DOMESDAY BOOK THAT'S A HIT WITH VISITORS AND HOUSE HUNTERS

A picturesque medieval village mentioned in the Domesday Book is a hit with house hunters despite "feral" youths causing chaos.

The sought-after area of Ash near Canterbury, Kent, is home to centuries-old cottages and a tranquil lifestyle which was referenced in the historic Doomsday text. But residents are now claiming the tourist hotspot is overrun with gangs torching cars and abusing residents of the sleepy village.

One woman says the doors of their home were kicked in by the youngsters while meetings with the parish council at the packed village hall have proven difficult. Members of Ash are calling for more to be done from the police, but the incidents are not being reported to the force as much as they should.

One woman said: "Our front door has been kicked in by youths - I thought they were going to come through the door. We have had the council bin in the car park thrown over our fence because they think it is fun." Another local claimed: "My car was set on fire and a few days later five more cars were set alight. I was told they knew who did it but they can't prosecute because of insufficient evidence. I'm not happy with it. People are scared. I don't feel safe in this village and I will be moving away."

Detective Sergeant Leigh Woolnough, from the Community Safety Unit, says the lack of reported cases means police figures are concerning, but lower than resident concerns. "Over the rolling year, there have been 39 incidents of antisocial behaviour reported to police - and I stress reported to police because Facebook seems to be the method of reporting and I can't take crime reports off Facebook," he said.

"There were eight reports in March. At the beginning of the year there were zero. We know there is a group of youths in Ash who are causing angst but we don't have all the reports through to us. If we don't have a record, we don't know what is happening out here." Residents believe there is enough reported to police to take action, as one Co-Op store owner says swearing youths have caused havoc at their store.

An employee at the store said: "I have phoned the police on 999 on five occasions and not once has a policeman has turned up. I also pressed the red alarm button and nobody came out. They are terrorising people throwing eggs and stones and climbing on top of buildings yet nothing is ever done."

Resident Deena Wild 65, added:" It's been campaign of terror and people are fed up that these kids just getting away with it. We have been here for six years and until recently it has been a joy to live in Ash but now we need to find some way of clamping down on this behaviour - the police have got to stop this campaign of terror." Police are now writing to residents and informing them of how they can address the uptick in crime.

"Unless an under 18 commits a serious offence like murder or rape they are unlikely to go into custody because of safeguarding and the law," Sgt Woolnough said. "We have written to residents to let them know that community safety partners are working together to address the issues, including preparing to install mobile CCTV in the main street. We continue to work together to keep the area a safe place to live, work and visit."

2024-04-28T12:40:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd