DOZENS of Metropolitan Police officers spent three days searching an area of woodland in Benenden as part of an investigation into what was described as a "serious crime".

Search teams cordoned off part of Iden Green Wood, opposite the Woodcock pub on Saturday.

The teams based themselves in the pub car during the search, which took place on both Saturday and Sunday and was completed by 3pm on Monday.

A police helicopter was also used in the operation, circling overhead for most of the weekend.

But the operation was shrouded in secrecy and police would not release details of the investigation, except to confirm it was not terrorist-related.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers have now completed a search of a woodland in the area. It is part of an ongoing investigation into a serious crime."

The operation caused a stir in the area and some residents spoke of being turned away from the area.

A spokesman for Weald Police said they were not involved in the search and no details had been released to local officers.