DETECTIVES are appealing for information following the distribution of racist leaflets in a Kent village.

The A4 leaflets have appeared in plastic bags, apparently scattered randomly across roads in Swanley Village, near Dartford.

They refer to a planning application submitted in respect of land in Park Lane, Swanley.

The application seeks a change of use for the land to allow two mobile homes and two touring caravans to be put on the site. The planning application was made by a resident of Hextable, near Dartford, who is a member of the gypsy traveller community.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "The leaflets urge people to object to the planning application, referring to gypsy travellers in a way that can be perceived as encouraging racial hatred."

A complaint was made to police who say the leaflets been appearing since April this year.

Police Insp Dominic Kilbride said: "The content of the leaflets is unacceptable because they are linking criminality and disorder to an identifiable group of people. Therefore they are prejudicial and this is no basis for an appeal against a planning application.

"Gypsies have been defined as a racial group by the Race Relations Act 1976 and these leaflets are, in my view, inciting racial hatred. This is supported by the way they are distributed in an anonymous and underhand way.

"Someone is responsible for the creation and distribution of the leaflets or someone has seen them being scattered. If you have any information about this I would urge you to let us know."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01732 379350 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.