Calls are being made to rid a “charming” village of “difficult” families who are reportedly tarnishing a new-build estate with a “tsunami” of anti-social behaviour.

Youngsters have been pushed off their scooters, while yobs have been caught trespassing and using catapults at Ransley Field in High Halden, between Ashford and Tenterden, since it welcomed its first residents in March.

Neighbours say they are too scared to let their children play outside alone due to the worrying behaviour blighting the 43-home estate, off the A28.

Police have also been called to reports of youths riding quad bikes on pavements and across gardens.

Ward councillor for the area Alan Pickering (Con) says regular “bad behaviour” is being reported about certain families who are “difficult to handle” and he is now calling for the culprits to be kicked out.

This week, KentOnline spoke to residents in Ransley Field about the issues, with many requesting to remain anonymous over fears of repercussions.

One mum said the nuisance behaviour has become such a problem that she has asked Southern Housing, which owns some of the properties, if she can be relocated.

“We have only lived here six months but I have asked to be moved,” she explained.

“We've had issues with quad bikes zooming up the path, going on to gardens.

“There are some really lovely people who live here and we all help each other out but there are some people who try to ruin that.

“Catapults are also a problem and I won't allow my kids to play out the front any more.

“It was a lovely place to live, but now I don’t want to be here.”

Concerns were echoed by another mum who says she worries for her children’s safety.

We did consider moving after the police were called but the rest of the people who live around here are lovely. It's the minority who cause the issues

“My daughter was pinned in an alleyway by another boy who is twice her size,” she said.

“We did consider moving after the police were called but the rest of the people who live around here are lovely. It's the minority who cause the issues.

“When our kids play outside, we tend to come out too because I can't keep them in, it's not fair.

“Putting up more cameras might be a good idea – it might act as a deterrent.”

Another mum says she has been keeping a diary of issues since March.

“I have an autistic son and I'm having to restrict where he can play because every time he goes out he seems an easy target and some children think it’s okay to pick on him,” she said.

“He has been pushed off a scooter and he is easily led, so they take advantage of him.

“Now he is only allowed out the front because I just can't trust that he will be safe.

“I moved here to give my children a sense of security and to be able to have a childhood. I want those families out.

“Our names are being tarnished because we live on the estate – but it's not the estate that's an issue.”

However, resident Gaby Pesinaite, 23, says while she has heard of nuisance behaviour happening on the estate, she has not seen any herself.

She said: “Because I'm at the front, I haven't seen anything.

“But I have read a lot of stuff on Facebook about people complaining.

“There are a lot of kids running and playing around but it seems like they are just kids being kids.”

Alex Moulang, owner of Coombewood Fishery nearby says he has had issues with youngsters from the estate illegally fishing on his land.

“A few weekends ago there were four lads fishing on the private lake,” he said.

“They refused to leave and gave me some abuse.

“I called the police who had a word with them. The following evening they were caught on the cameras returning, although they weren’t fishing this time.

“We had some tools stolen a week later but we don’t know who that was.

“It’s frustrating, in a little village like ours, that this is the main topic of conversation.

“The trouble is, when you send families to villages from bigger towns, there is nothing for them to do down here.

“It’s a system issue more than the kids themselves.”

After receiving several complaints from residents, Cllr Pickering brought up the issue at Ashford Borough Council’s Cabinet meeting last Thursday.

He said: “We’re very proud that we were the first village in Kent where they plotted two strong built estates [sic] – half was shared ownership and half was affordable homes.

‘We were an absolutely charming quiet village, now there’s a bunch of children bullying children in our village, and we need to get some of these families out...’

“Since then though we’ve had a tsunami of bad behaviour because we’ve brought into Ransley Field some families who are difficult and we’re finding how difficult it is to handle them.

“I get reports all the time from villagers on how awful the scenario is.

“We were an absolutely charming quiet village. Now there’s a bunch of children bullying children in our village, and we need to get some of these families out.”

Ransley Field is made up of 21 shared ownership properties and 22 affordable rent properties built by Optivo which merged with Southern Housing in 2022.

A spokesperson from Southern Housing said: “We’ve worked with Ashford’s community safety unit to tackle anti-social behaviour at Ransley Field, High Halden, and have issued tenancy breach letters.

“We’ve visited the estate three times to door knock and get feedback, as well as sending a letter encouraging all residents to report any issues.

“We’ve also advised residents not to ride quad bikes on the estate.

“We would urge any resident experiencing anti-social behaviour to report this to us immediately so we can provide the appropriate support.”

Southern says it has dedicated anti-social behaviour officers and they take reports “extremely seriously".

The spokesperson added: “We believe everyone should feel safe in their own home and we’ll continue to work with our residents and our partners to tackle any outstanding issues.”

DI Simon Johnson, of Ashford Community Safety Unit, said: “Kent Police officers attended Ransley Field, High Halden on July 30 following a report of children on quad bikes and firing catapults.

“An area search was carried out but no one matching the children's descriptions was located.

“On September 26, officers were called to a report of children with gel guns in the same street. Officers attended and spoke to the individuals involved.

“The designated beat officer for High Halden, as well as Ashford's Neighbourhood Task Force, are aware of local concerns, carry out regular patrols and take action where appropriate for police to do so.

“Local officers are also working proactively with partner agencies to address any issues relating to housing and social services.

“We understand that every incident of anti-social behaviour has an impact on those living in an area and we are committed to responding robustly to any criminal offences that are identified.

“I urge anyone who is a victim of crime or anti-social behaviour to report incidents online as soon as possible after they arise, or call 999 if a crime is in progress.”