The top five places for drug possession in Kent have been revealed.

Figures from police show 517 people were detained for having banned substances on them between 2013 and 2016.

At the top of the chart was Maidstone with 143 arrests over the period.

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In Margate, officers took 112 people into custody for having banned substances on them.

Kent's drug problem does not escape Medway though with Chatham ranked third in the table with 93 arrests and Gillingham fourth with 88 detentions.

Finally, Canterbury saw 81 people arrested.

Project manager for community youth and outreach services at the Kenward Trust, John Shanley, said: “A lot of this is where there’s high volumes of footfall like in Maidstone.

“There’s also a nightlife culture in the High Street which can see people focus around drink and drugs.

“Drugs like Ketamin are quite popular with young people at the moment as well as stimulant drugs because they generate more energy.

“We work with lots of partners to tackle this problem, we have to work with partners because of the cuts.

“If you’ve got the footfall there you’ve got the supplies there as well.”

Officers have alluded to the fact the number could be higher as people can be given street cautions for possession of smaller amounts.

People can also be referred to rehabilitation and intervention services as well.

Chief Inspector for partnership and communities at Kent Police, Tim Cook, said: "Officers do intervene when someone is suspected of possessing drugs and will look to resolve the situation using the most appropriate outcome.

"Although the FOI figures only show arrests, for some minor possession offences, a street caution or diversionary option such as a drug intervention programme or referral to drug treatment agencies, is both more proportionate and more effective at dealing with the overall issue and people’s addiction problems.

"It also means police custody areas are kept free so they can be used to detain suspects who pose a greater threat of risk and harm to the community.

"Recent stop and search reforms have led to a reduction nationally in the number of people stopped, searched and arrested for a variety of offences."

Mr Cook added: "This may have had an impact on the numbers for drug possession.

"Also, Kent Police does not set arrest targets and therefore yearly variations are to be expected.

"Our priority is to tackle the supply of drugs and associated criminality as evidenced by our on-going proactive operations and warrants."