Teenagers Charged With Swale House Criminal Damage

Two boys, aged 12 and 14, have been charged with criminal damage after Swale Borough Council’s (SBC) offices in Sittingbourne were vandalised during a heated meeting on asylum policy just before Christmas.

The incident took place at Swale House on Wednesday 10th December, when tensions rose during a debate on whether the borough of Swale should become a “district of sanctuary”—a move that would have offered additional support to asylum seekers already living in the area. 

Councillors voted 23–8 against the sanctuary motion with SBC staff later discovering extensive damage inside the building. The first‑floor men’s toilets had smashed fixtures, blocked sinks and taps left running, causing water to leak through the ceiling to the floor below. Additional mess, including broken soap dispensers, litter in stairwells and even a dropped kebab, contributed to an estimated £10,000 in damage, forcing the offices to close to the public the following day.

The incident was condemned in Parliament after being brought up by local MP Kevin McKenna.

Kent Police confirmed that the two boys were arrested shortly afterward and they have now been released on conditional bail.

They are due to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court next Thursday (26th March).