Police are stepping up patrols after a spate of sickening attacks on motorists where rocks have been hurled at cars.

One victim has given a terrifying account of the moment a rock smashed through her windscreen and struck her face, forcing her off the road.

The incidents are concentrated in the Benenden and Cranbrook areas with reports of a brown van involved.

Jennie Ivinson was returning from a trip to Bodiam Castle with her young sons, when her Vauxhall Zafira was hit.

The 36-year-old was travelling along New Pond Road in Benenden on August 18 when she was hit by the missile.

Jennie, who suffered a black eye and cuts to her right cheek and eyelid, was treated at Tunbridge Wells Hospital for her injuries.

She said: “I was aware of a vehicle passing me and then bang, suddenly everything went black. My windscreen had blown and something hit me in the face.

“My three-year-old was screaming and I was really shaken.”

Less than a mile away, mum Nicola Waite, reported her car being struck in Benenden Road, at the junction of Walkhurst Road, on August 19.

She said that a brown van had rounded the corner and she heard a massive bang when a brick hit the bonnet of her car, bouncing twice then shattering the windscreen.

Days later, on Friday, August 21, also in New Pond Road, a woman sitting in the passenger seat of a car suffered scratches to her face and chest when a rock was reportedly thrown through the windscreen from a brown van heading in the direction of Iden Green.

In nearby Whitewell Lane, Cranbrook, a women driver said that a rock was thrown at her stationary car on Thursday, August 20.

Hairdresser Cheryl Morris had previously reported that her car was struck in Bodiam Road, Sandhurst, on July 18, after a brown van passed her.

Lisa Cattaneocor was driving her 63-year-old mother to Benenden Hospital when a rock struck the windscreen of her Ford Fiesta.

The 37-year-old was travelling along Goddards Green Road in Cranbrook when the glass cracked, sending shards flying across the dashboard and the two women.

The shock caused Miss Cattaneo to scream out and suddenly swerve off the road.

The mother-of-three, of Norman Rise in Cranbrook, escaped uninjured but was left shaken and requiring a new windscreen.

She said: "It was absolutely terrifying. It was such a loud noise I automatically closed my eyes and in fear swerved, which I know is so dangerous. It could have caused an accident, it was just my reaction. It cost me a lot to fix. I have three young girls it’s terrifying to think they could have been in the car.”

Police are appealing for information following these and other similar incidents in Benenden and Rolvenden.

PC Lee Oakley of the Tunbridge Wells community safety unit said: "Reports of this nature are thankfully rare but anyone caught committing such crimes will face serious repercussions.

"We are increasing patrols in the areas affected but we also want motorists to be aware these incidents are occurring, and ask that they remain vigilant.

"I would urge anyone with information to call me on 01892 502055. Alternatively email west.division.media.appeals@kent.pnn.police.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."