Boy, 11, is arrested on suspicion of assault after 'group of antisocial youths sprayed liquid over customers' in quiet Kent village
Locals living in the community of Hoo say they have been besieged by youths, who have allegedly threatened to attack business owners with acid and plastic knives.
One newsagents claimed it receives daily threats of violence from yobs - with the anger exploding when staff ask to see their IDs when they try to buy cigarettes and vapes.
The mayhem has left pensioners too terrified to venture out at night, with some fearing they will be jumped by the school-aged delinquents when the sun goes down.
Fed-up locals have been demanding action from Kent Police to tackle the spate of alleged anti-social behaviour.
Today, the force said it had arrested a boy after scouring through CCTV and speaking to witnesses after a group of children entered the newsagents and allegedly threw a liquid from a bottle.
The alleged incident took place on Saturday, April 12, shortly before 5pm.
The youngster, from Chatham, had attended a police station with his parent for a voluntary interview before his arrest. He has since been released on bail.
Inspector Paul Diddams of Medway's Community Safety Unit said: 'While we continue to investigate recent reports of disorderly behaviour in Hoo, we have taken steps to address the issues that have been raised and our neighbourhood officers remain focused on ensuring a swift and effective response to protect the public.
'Anyone experiencing antisocial behaviour should report it as soon as possible and via the appropriate channels, so that the measures taken are robust and proportionate.'
Kent Police has upped patrols in the area with safety cameras also being installed as part of a clampdown on antisocial behaviour.
MailOnline revealed last week how gangs of youths are also running amok at another parade of shops just half a mile away.
They have been accused of stealing from convenience stores and fighting in the streets late at night.
And three months ago one particularly violent incident reportedly saw a teenager slashed in the face with a pair of scissors.
Police were called to the Premier Express store on the Knights Road parade of shops at about 11.30pm on Monday, February 3.
The boy was taken to hospital with facial injuries but was discharged a short while later.
A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and an investigation is continuing.
The parade of shops has two convenience stores, a hairdressers, a pharmacy, funeral parlour, a Chinese takeaway and a kebab shop.
A mother of two, who lives nearby and only gave her name as 'Jan' for fear of being targeted by the yobs said: 'There are issues all the time with youngsters running amok.
'Some of them are only 14 years old yet they can be out in the streets until nearly midnight.
'They are a pain in the a*** a lot of the time, shouting, swearing, stealing from the corner shop and riding their bikes dangerously in the road.'
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