Boys charged over damage after refugee debate

Two boys will appear in court after alleged vandalism caused a council to temporarily close its offices, according to police.

Officers charged a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old from Sittingbourne with criminal damage in relation to an incident on 10 December, Kent Police said.

Damage to Swale Borough Council's office was reported that day after people in the public gallery disrupted a debate on making the area a "district of sanctuary" for refugees.

The council said the Sittingbourne building was unable to open afterwards as toilets and a lift were damaged, and flooding caused water to pour through the ceiling.

A police spokesperson said the boys were bailed ahead of a hearing at Medway Magistrates' Court on 26 March.

House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle previously condemned the incident as an unacceptable "attack on democracy" after Kevin McKenna, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, raised the incident in Parliament.

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