Bins in Ashford have been set on fire, heavily graffitied and even thrown into a river amid a spate of vandalism.

Ashford Borough Council says it has had several issues in recent weeks which has left the authority with extra work and forced it to source replacements.

One incident on the Little Burton housing estate in Kennington last month saw a bin removed from its base and hurled into water close by.

Cllr Katy Pauley, who represents the Conningbrook and Little Burton ward, says there has been a "shocking amount" of bin vandalism and fires during lockdown.

"Residents of Little Burton are taken aback by the sudden amount of vandalism of bins where they live," the Ashford Independent representative said.

"They care about litter, and every day they make a point of keeping the area clean and tidy, and agree that it is a shame that a minority act in this anti-social manner.

"Two reports of vandalised bins were reported by the residents via social media as soon as they found out - the first being three bins including the one in the river."

Cllr Pauley says she is not sure why the housing estate has been hit by the vandalism.

"The whole of Ashford borough has been affected by bin vandalism; I have no idea as to why Little Burton is the latest on the list," she added.

"I have reported everything to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) which has very quickly attended to the matter and are working to replace the bins with stronger bases."

Elsewhere in the borough, bins in Victoria Park have been set alight, while vandals decided to cover up a bin in an alleyway off Park Road in Kennington, leaving it unusable.

An council spokesman confirmed there has been a spate of incidents where bins have been damaged.

"We have had several issues where bins have been set on fire or heavily graffitied so we have been monitoring this," she said.

"If anyone has any information, please let us know at www.ashford.gov.uk/report/report-street-and-bin-issues."

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