A man in his 60s has been charged with criminal damage after a theatre and council offices had windows and doors smashed during a night of mindless violence.

The Gravesham Civic Centre in Windmill Street, Gravesend was left with £30k of damage after plate-glass windows, office windows and sliding doors were attacked.

As staff arrived for work this morning they were greeted by a scene of devastating destruction.

One shocked member of the public said: "I counted up to 40 'smashes' on several windows across the front and back of the building but the sides don't appear to have been damaged, from what I can see."

The premises are home to Gravesham Borough Council and are used by many members of the public.

They are shared by The Woodville cinema and theatre complex which recently launched details of this year's panto Aladdin starring James 'Arg' Argent from The Only Way Is Essex.

This morning large areas of the building had been taped off and a metal barrier had been placed in front of one large smashed window.

Police arrested a man in the early hours of Monday morning after receiving reports of damage in the town and also to property in The Grove nearby.

A spokesman for Gravesham Borough Council said: "We had a number of windows and the entrance doors to the Civic Centre damaged overnight.

"The damage is being made safe. The Civic Centre is open for business as usual.

“We have supplied Kent Police with CCTV from the area at the time the damage occurred, and we are helping them with any additional information they need as they continue their inquiry.”

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 12.32am on Monday to a report of a person seen causing criminal damage to a business premises in The Grove, Gravesend.

'Remanded in custody'

"Officers attended and a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion on criminal damage. He remains in custody while enquiries continue."

* Neil Burt, 63, of Overcliffe, Gravesend, appeared at Medway Magistrates Court by video link on Tuesday charged with three counts of criminal damage. He was remanded in custody.

He is to appear at Maidstone Crown Court at a later date.