A 17-year-old boy has been swiftly arrested in Ashford after a vehicle carrying a driver and three young children was targeted in a dangerous catapult attack.
The incident occurred at around 3.30pm on Monday 20 July 2026, as the car was travelling along Stanhope Road. A projectile struck the moving vehicle without warning, shattering the windscreen and forcing the shocked motorist to pull over to safety before immediately contacting the police.
Officers dispatched to the area launched an urgent search for the offender. Within just 30 minutes of the report, patrols tracked down and arrested a suspect nearby in Otterden Close. During the arrest, officers recovered a catapult alongside a bag of metal ball bearings and a small quantity of cannabis.
The suspect was taken into custody before being released on bail. As part of his strict bail conditions, the teenager is barred from returning to the Stanhope area while Kent Police complete their ongoing enquiries into the incident.