POLICE are investigating after young thugs used an air rifle to shoot at shoppers and staff in a supermarket.

The incident happened at the Co-op Store in Kestral Road in Walderslade Village, near Chatham.

At least three people were hit with pellets which left marks on their skin and also left them feeling they had been stung.

A group of youths, thought to be aged between 15 and 17, sent a shower of pellets into the store's huge windows aiming at both staff and customers. It is also believed several of the windows were smashed in the incident.

No one at the store, which is open late at night, was able to comment on the attack, but nearby residents were left shocked by the incident.

One resident who lives in nearby Robin Hood Lane, but didn't want to be named said: "It's unbelievable to think that teenagers could do this sort of thing. They were aiming at people in the store and hit a few of them. It's not normally like this around here. It's getting quite frightening."

Medway Police have condemned the anti-social behaviour as "stupid and irresponsible."

A spokesman for Co-op said: "I can confirm that an indecent occurred on Tuesday, November 23 at the Co-op Store in Kestral Road.

"Staff and customers were left shaken after a group of youths fired an air-rifle into the store. Medway Police were called to the incident and it is being investigated."

A police spokesperson said: "This is a stupid and totally irresponsible act and the pellets did hit a number of people who were in the shop at the time.

"It is extremely fortunate that no one was seriously injured and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour. We will use the full extent of our powers to bring those responsible before the courts."

Anyone with information in connection with this incident is asked to contact Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.