Sussex Police said the unnamed victim was confronted by eight young people outside his home in Sparrows Green Road, Wadhurst, in the early hours of Remembrance Sunday [November 11].
The force received a report at 1.04am. Officers attended the scene and conducted a search but no suspects were found. No further reports of such matter were received.
A neighbour wrote on a Wadhurst Facebook group the victim was a veteran of the Falklands War and lived with his wife.
She said the couple “wouldn’t hurt a fly” and “moved to Wadhurst to have some peace”.
Sussex Police suggested a trend has emerged for this type of incident.
Prevention Sergeant David Gilmore said: “We are aware of issues with antisocial behaviour in this area and understand the impact this is having on the community.
“We want to robustly tackle this issue. There has been an increase in high visibility patrols and powers of stop and search and dispersal orders will be considered where appropriate.
“We are encouraging members of the public to report issues of antisocial behaviour to us without delay and come forward with any information they have by calling 101.”
