A TEENAGER was escorted off school premises by Kent Police following an allegation of rape.

Some pupils at the school in the Gravesham area are believed to have seen police take the 15-year-old away for questioning after the alleged offence against a girl of 13.

Police said they had to act swiftly to preserve any potential forensic evidence and could not avoid dealing with the accusation while the teenager was still at school.

Both the school and Kent County Council have refused to comment on the incident, merely stating that it was “a police matter”.

PC Geoff McCreery said: “It is standard procedure that, in all reports of allegations of this nature, police have to act quickly to preserve forensic evidence and to prevent further offences being committed.

“In this case we had the full support of the head teacher at the school and acted accordingly.”

The 15-year-old has been released on bail. The results of forensic examinations are now awaited.

It is not known if the boy has returned to school.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S GRAVESEND MESSENGER