PENSIONERS have been target of yobs who smashed up three mobility scooters and left a trail of destruction.

Elderly residents living on the Watts Almshouses private estate in Abbotts Close, Rochester, were shocked when they awoke on Saturday to discover they had been victims of a callous attack the previous night.

Three of their scooters were taken from outside their homes and pushed across the site and dumped on the grass.

The vandals had even tried to hot-wire one machine, but when they failed to get it started, they decided they would smash it up instead.

The yobs had also broken into a shed to find tools to smash the scooters with.

The estate is managed by the Watts Charity and is warden controlled, but neither residents or the warden, John Taylor, heard anything.

One pensioner who was targeted was 72-year-old Eileen Marsh. She now doesn’t think she will be able to get out and about by herself any more because her scooter is a write-off.

She has arthritis and a pacemaker and had only just come out of hospital after an operation the day before the vandalism.

Mrs Marsh said: “The scooter was the only independence I had. It’s ruined. They are not cheap. It cost me £1,000 and I just don’t believe it can be repaired. “I can’t afford to by another one.

“I will have to rely on my family to take me out now. The people who did this just don’t realise the effect it has on people like me who can’t get out and about easily.

The yobs also let off several fire extinguishers.

Mrs Marsh added: "They have smashed up two scooters belonging to elderly women who live here and had a go at another elderly gentlemen’s scooter too. They can’t afford new ones.”

If you know anything about this crime contact Medway Police on 01634 891055 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.