County council officials have been warned they should prepare for the prospect that key frontline services could fail or be significantly reduced within weeks of a no-deal Brexit.

KCC managers have been told to draw up contingency plans that address various scenarios in which services they provide could be so significantly disrupted that it could lead to public disorder and increased crime.

The possible ramifications of leaving the EU on key services are set out in an internal training exercise document designed to help officials consider how they would respond to a deteriorating environment under Brexit and to review their "business continuity plans".

The document - called Brexercise Loki - sets out likely scenarios in the weeks after March 29 and how services - including care services for the elderly and vulnerable - could be compromised.

Its introduction states it should be used “to inform the actions KCC must take to minimise negative impacts upon service delivery.”

The report sets out the escalating severity of the challenges KCC could face in the three weeks immediately after Brexit.

By the end of the first week, it warns that staffing levels “may decrease rapidly as congestion and disruption impact adult and child care provision and schools close.”

It describes how “depots and other KCC critical infrastructure, particularly those located close to ports and the motorway network, may quickly become inoperable as congestion disrupts access and egress.”

By week two, the document sets out a scenario in which KCC could be hit by disruption to services on a scale that is “causing hardship and practical problems for many service users and public frustration is growing.”

It warns of "increasing numbers of schools and early years facilities are closing as congestion makes their operation unsustainable with significant childcare implications for KCC staff".

By the third week, a worsening situation is depicted in which the NHS and social care sectors are experiencing what are described as "significant staffing and supply chain challenges.

"Community cohesion is coming under increased pressure as extremist political groups exploit a worsening situation".

The report states: “Public disorder and other crime increases as anger and desperation rises due to chronic traffic congestion failure of services and shortages resulting in further challenges for already stretched KCC services.

"The pressure on staff and elected members is growing day on day especially from the media and social media as KCC services are reduced or fail."

Among key issues identified is the risk of "a big spike in unaccompanied asylum-seeking children numbers reaching Kent as opportunities for clandestine access into UK increase".

"Public disorder and other crime increases as anger and desperation rises due to chronic traffic congestion failure of services and shortages resulting in further challenges for already stretched KCC services" - the Brexercise Loki report

There are also warnings that safeguarding vulnerable children could be affected.

A KCC statement said the document was part of efforts to make sure that the council and others were taking sensible precautions:

"As part of the multi-agency Kent Resilience Forum, Kent County Council continues to work closely with its partners, including the Department for Transport and Highways England, to prepare for a range of potential outcomes of EU exit on 29th March, including the event of no deal and traffic disruption on Kent’s roads.

"As part of this planning the partners, including local authorities, should review and test their business continuity plans.

"The aim of Exercise Loki is to stimulate reflection and discussion on the possible consequences for Kent of the UK withdrawal from the EU and the actions councils might take to minimise the potential impact on local service delivery.

"The advice to councils includes sensible precautions such as reviewing staff rotas and out of hours capacity and working with staff to develop contingency plans to cope with potential disruptions."