A new lakeside community is being terrorised by groups of "dive bombing" youths coming down from London to vandalise the area and have even stoned a duck to death at the development.

For the last few years residents in and around St Clements Lake, Greenhithe say they have been living in fear due to the nuisance behaviour of teenagers swimming in the lake.

Large groups of youths are frequently seen "dive bombing" and causing damage to the area and properties, as well as abusing the wildlife.

On Friday teenagers are said to have stoned a duckling to death which has been reported to the police and investigations are ongoing.

During the hot summer months neighbours in Castleridge Drive claim they are forced to keep their windows shut due to the "constant screaming, shouting and swearing".

On some occasions residents have reported the brazen brats "urinating in full view" including on their front doors and garages.

It's understood the area near Bluewater Shopping Centre has become a hot spot on the social media platform Tiktok for kids to hang out and take drugs with reports of teenagers coming from as far afield as Crayford and Abbey Wood.

Dozens of the discarded gas nitrous oxide canisters, commonly referred to as "laughing gas" or "hippy crack", can be found littered in and around the gazebo.

Parents of small children have also reported frequent "run-ins" with young teenagers who are verbally abusive when challenged.

One Castleridge drive resident, who did not want to be named, said: "During the heatwave we couldn't keep open the windows in the room of my 10-month-old daughter as she couldn't nap due to the screaming and shouting outside.

"The gazebo area looks dirty and the swimmers leave their rubbish behind so I need to avoid that area when going out for a walk with my little one."

Another added: "The constant teenagers coming to the lake causing a lot of disruption has been unacceptable.

"The safety of our families around the lake area is not good, as the teenagers congregate around the gazebo area and make loud noises, screaming and shouting abusive language which we can all hear around the houses."

Police have been regularly contacted and PCSOs have at times been called out up to four times a day during the busy summer months.

Officers have introduced 48 hour dispersal orders previously to prevent youths entering the site only for them to return again.

Neighbours say the management company DJC Property Management are aware of complaints but little has been done.

Last year it was suggested security guards be employed to patrol the lake between 11am and 8pm at a cost of £16 per guard per hour.

But this was rejected by residents who felt it too expensive given many already pay more than £200 a month in service charges.

Cllr Katie Lynch, who represents Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents' Association, labelled the latest incident "absolutely disgusting" and has called for more to be done.

"This has been an ongoing issue for a number of years and more needs to be done," she said.

"It is not acceptable for residents to have to endure this each time the weather is good and animal cruelty of any kind is absolutely disgusting and must be dealt with robustly by the police.

The Greenhithe resident added: "I would personally like to see the management company doing more to deter swimming within their existing service charge funds.

"This cannot cost the residents of St Clements Lake more money."

In a bid to prompt further action from the management company she conducted a resident survey last month to understand what actions they would like to see taken.

Most called for reeds to be introduced and a reduction in the depth of the lake to deter swimming, alongside a stronger police presence.

Cllr Lynch has also asked Dartford council to consider introducing a public space protection order to give the police greater power to deal with the problem.

She added: "It is always worse during the summer so we really need some urgent action on this."

A Dartford council spokesman said: “The council and police are aware of concerns surrounding behaviour at St Clements Lake.

"We remain in contact with the land management company to try and deal with any problems because we appreciate the disturbance they cause.

"Animal cruelty of any kind is absolutely disgusting and must be dealt with robustly by the police..."

"This sort of unacceptable behaviour only adds to the stress of local people when temperatures rise.

He added: “We have a very effective system of public spaces protection orders but they would not deal with issues at this location caused by youths as we do not issue fixed penalty notices to under 18s.

“It seems that only the presence of the police is likely to impact on behaviour here and we want to reassure residents that we continue to push for action going forward as we have in the past.”

Inspector Trevor Jenner, from the Dartford Community Safety Unit said: "Kent Police is aware of a number of concerns around anti-social behaviour in the Castlebridge Drive area of Greenhithe.

"These are mainly complaints related to people who have been visiting the area to swim in St Clements Lakes.

"Patrols have also been increased, as our officers seek to try and minimalize any behaviour that may cause upset or distress..."

"We are also aware of recent allegations relating to an incident where stones were reportedly thrown at ducks in the lake and inquiries are ongoing to identify those involved.

"We take all reports of crime and anti-social behaviour seriously and a number of dispersal orders have been put in place in this area to address issues raised by residents.

"Patrols have also been increased, as our officers seek to try and minimalize any behaviour that may cause upset or distress.

"Throughout the summer months there will continue to be a greater focus with our partners, including the borough council, around possible measures to reduce anti-social behaviour.

"We are also engaging with Kent Fire and Rescue Service to address issues around water safety."

DJC Property Management has been contacted for comment.