Security measures have been stepped up for shopping centre workers after a rape was reported next to a staff car park but it's been claimed the changes don't go far enough.

Patrols have increased around the Ashford Designer Outlet overflow car park near the town's railway station following the incident on New Year's Day.

Bosses have also changed parking arrangements at the site, allowing staff to leave their cars inside the centre's main car park after 5pm at weekends.

But critics say the changes imposed by the Outlet's owners McArthurGlen won't make much difference as the rules should be relaxed further.

"Just telling staff to move their cars from the overflow car park on a Saturday or Sunday isn’t really action in my eyes," the partner of one worker told KentOnline.

"It isn't well lit and there are not many people at that time of night, it doesn't matter what day of the week it is.

"My partner feels vulnerable walking back to the car.

"This time of year is one of the quietest for the Outlet, why not just let the staff park in the main car park if they are finishing late?

"They won’t take up the whole car park, especially at that time of night when there are hardly any cars in there.

"Most of the time staff can get away shortly after 8pm.

"At the weekends there are four extra security guards lining the roads between the end of the Outlet and the end of the car park.

"But they should have another gate to stop staff having to walk all of the way round the car park, it adds a good 10 minutes to their journey home."

In January, detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of rape following the incident on New Year's Day.

The suspect was released on bail and inquiries into the incident continue, a spokesman confirmed this week.

In an email to staff, seen by KentOnline, a retail executive from the Outlet updated workers on the new parking arrangement.

"In light of the recent incident that took place near HS1 [the overflow car park by Ashford International] you will have noticed that we have added additional security to patrol the HS1 car park area over the weekends," he wrote.

"The feedback from both guests and centre staff around this has been overwhelmingly positive.

"To build on this we also wanted to share that we are happy for centre staff to move their cars from HS1 into the main car park after 5pm on weekends only.

"During the week all staff must continue to park in the Asda overflow.

"The movement of cars from HS1 into the main car park must not impact your store's ability to trade.

"This will be monitored to ensure staff are not moving the cars into the main car park earlier than 5pm."

Outlet bosses declined to comment further when approached by KentOnline.