A pensioner has been left in hospital after being shot by a gang of teenagers armed with catapults in a market town gripped by growing fears over youth violence.

The victim, a man in his 70s, was struck in the arm on a busy high street in Cranbrook, Kent, during a shocking incident that has sparked fresh concern among residents.

Police have now launched an appeal for witnesses after five young people allegedly fired catapults towards the pensioner at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 16. The suspects are described as being aged between 16 and 18. After the incident, they reportedly ran away towards The Hill area, known locally as The Crane.

Officers attended the scene on Waterloo Road and spoke to the injured victim before he was taken to hospital for treatment.

The full extent of his injuries emerged in a social media post from a local resident, who said the victim was their father.

The post revealed that doctors in A&E had to remove a metal ball bearing embedded in the man's arm. The projectile was described as being about the size of a 5p piece.

The resident said their father was angry and frustrated, claiming the same group had been causing problems and damage around Cranbrook for some time.

The alarming attack comes amid wider concerns about catapult-related incidents across Kent, where towns and villages have reportedly been targeted by groups using the weapons.

Residents have increasingly voiced fears about the dangers posed by catapults and ball bearings being used in public spaces.

One such resident, Tunbridge Wells woman Jo Lazzam, described her own frightening experiences while speaking to the BBC.

She said she had witnessed children firing catapults at ducks, dogs and dog walkers. Lazzam also claimed she had personally been chased by youngsters carrying catapults and ball bearings.

"As I was running I felt wind by my ear as one went past," she said. "I heard another one hit a bush, luckily I wasn't actually hit."

Her warning was stark. "If they actually get you in the eye, it'll blind you. You will lose your eye," she said.

"They are an extremely dangerous weapon."

Although catapults are generally legal to own and use responsibly in the UK, they can be treated as offensive weapons if carried in public without good reason or used to harm people, animals or property. The latest figures underline the scale of the problem facing authorities.

Kent Police recorded an average of 14 offences linked to catapults every day last year.

Superintendent Rob Marsh said officers were aware of growing public concern about catapults being used to damage property and target wildlife. He said the force was determined to tackle those responsible. Marsh stressed that while possession of a catapult is not currently illegal, officers can arrest individuals if they suspect the weapon has been used to commit a crime.

He added that any catapults and projectiles, including ball bearings, could be seized and destroyed.

Police are now urging anyone with information about the Cranbrook incident, or the misuse of catapults more generally, to come forward as investigations continue.

The hunt for the teenage suspects remains ongoing as officers seek witnesses and further evidence following the attack on the pensioner.

Gang of teens fire catapults at pensioner putting him in hospital

When, or rather if, they get caught the punishment will depend very much on who they are and of what ethnicity they are. The UK has now become a system of multi tier justice. If you are part of the DEI fraternity probably told not to do it again.

15 minutes ago, bannork said:

shot by catapult gang in town terror spree

Similar story in Brisbane Australia.

Edited 52 minutes ago52 min by SAFETY FIRST

13 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

When, or rather if, they get caught the punishment will depend very much on who they are and of what ethnicity they are. The UK has now become a system of multi tier justice. If you are part of the DEI fraternity probably told not to do it again.

No it won’t and no the UK hasn’t.

16 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

When, or rather if, they get caught the punishment will depend very much on who they are and of what ethnicity they are. The UK has now become a system of multi tier justice. If you are part of the DEI fraternity probably told not to do it again.

I would wager these are white boys doing this. The ethnic white population in Cranbrook, Kent, makes up approximately 94.5% to 95.4% of the local residents.

Bad parenting....

For an object of the reported size fired at human flesh it would have to be traveling in excess of 100m/s (360km/hour : 223 Miles/Hour).

That’s not a kid’s toy catapult, it’s a lethal weapon.

Charge the wee scrotes with attempted murder

More on youth crime....

Balaclava ban showdown. City fights back against masked riders

A UK city could become the first in the country to crack down on balaclava-wearing riders after growing fears over masked youths allegedly terrorising streets on e-bikes and e-scooters.

Nottingham has found itself at the centre of a heated debate after residents and businesses raised concerns about groups covering their faces while speeding through the city centre. The issue has sparked calls for tougher action as reports of antisocial behaviour continue to fuel anxiety.

Council leader Neghat Khan said people should feel safe in Nottingham during both the day and night. She questioned why some riders were covering their faces during unusually hot weather, highlighting concerns about those travelling rapidly through busy pedestrian areas.

But despite headlines suggesting a ban is imminent, no restriction has yet been approved. The proposal remains under consideration and has not been formally drafted.

The discussion is taking place alongside plans for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), a legal tool councils use to tackle behaviour that harms local quality of life. Nottingham's draft PSPO would run for three years if approved.

The proposed order already targets a range of issues including blocked entrances, disruptive busking, unauthorised collections, public urination and interference with street-cleaning operations.

The focus of the balaclava debate is not on people wearing face coverings during cold weather. Instead, local leaders are examining concerns about individuals concealing their identities while riding illegal or unregistered electric vehicles through public spaces.

Police say similar riders have been linked to incidents involving disorder, violence, drugs, weapons and antisocial behaviour. Officers also warn that face coverings can make identification through CCTV footage or witness accounts far more difficult.

One incident on May 6 intensified concerns. A neighbourhood inspector encountered two balaclava-wearing riders on electric motorcycles near Upper Parliament Street and Chapel Bar.

Police said the vehicles could not legally be used in public places. Members of the public and council workers reportedly helped restrain the riders after the officer was assaulted.

A 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were later charged with a number of alleged offences. Police stressed that charges do not amount to convictions.

Further alarm followed on June 15 when officers pursued two teenagers riding an e-scooter on a pavement in Radford. According to police, both suspects were wearing balaclavas and attempted to flee.

Searches reportedly uncovered two machetes concealed inside their trousers along with cannabis. Boys aged 15 and 16 were arrested on suspicion of offences including knife possession before later being released on conditional bail.

In response to rising concerns, Nottinghamshire Police has launched Operation Reclaim alongside the council and partner organisations. The initiative targets youth antisocial behaviour, illegal e-bikes, weapon-carrying, drug dealing and retail crime.

Officers are increasing visible patrols and say balaclavas can already be confiscated from young people involved in offending. Existing powers can also be used to stop identified offenders from wearing them again.

Potential penalties could include a £100 fixed penalty notice or prosecution carrying a maximum fine of £1,000.

For now, Nottingham remains a city considering a ban rather than one that has introduced it. The consultation on the wider city-centre PSPO closes at 11.59pm on June 23, 2026, after which officials will review public responses.

UK city poised for first balaclava ban as masked youths terrorise streets

39 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

For an object of the reported size fired at human flesh it would have to be traveling in excess of 100m/s (360km/hour : 223 Miles/Hour).

That’s not a kid’s toy catapult, it’s a lethal weapon.

Charge the wee scrotes with attempted murder

Dont you want to wait until you saw their pictures and their names? I mean how can you know how to punish them without knowing the most vital information. You feel secure saying hang em high as its a majority white town, but....