A woman and a teenager have been cautioned for wasting police time after complaining they were the victims of a rapist.

Kent Police launched an investigation after receiving the information about the so-called attack, said to have taken place at Rope Walk, Sandwich.

A 44-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl who made the allegations have since retracted them and admitted to police that no offences took place.

Police press officer Jon Green said: “As a result both have been formally cautioned for wasting police time.

“Kent Police takes every allegation of rape and sexual assault very seriously and works not only to investigate these, but also to provide support to victims.”

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham, of Kent Police’s public protection unit, said: “There are rare occasions where false rape allegations are made and through the detailed investigation process they are normally found out.

“ Any decision to prosecute or caution is not taken lightly, but I would not want this case to put other victims of sexual violence from coming forward to us.”