Mindless young yobs are said to have hurled rocks and eggs at elderly passers-by from a lofty vantage point.

Police are now ramping up foot patrols in Canterbury, in a bid to clamp down on such anti-social behaviour.

Officers were called shortly after 4pm yesterday, following a report children were throwing eggs and stones at pedestrians in Castle Street, in the city centre.

One eyewitness reported seeing the group standing on the city's historic castle, "throwing eggs [and] rocks at elderly couples going past on the street below".

A police spokesman said: "City centre officers attended and carried out a search of the area.

"The children were not located and officers will continue to carry out foot patrols in the area to tackle any antisocial behaviour."

The incident has sparked outrage, with one resident commenting on social media: "This is a criminal offence, and someone could have been injured or killed."

It comes after widespread concerns over a rise in antisocial behaviour and violent crime in Canterbury.

Recent figures show that in the year up to September, violent incidents in the city centre rose by 7% while public order offences were up 5%, criminal damage and arson up 6%, and sexual offences also rose by 8%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).