POLICE and council staff swooped on a wooded area of a Maidstone estate after reports it had become a no-go area for residents.

Maidstone and Malling Police and environmental health officers from Maidstone Borough Council visited Garden Close in Senacre. They were following up reports that youngsters had been building camps with property stolen from houses and garages in the area, starting fires and illegally riding motorcycles.

A large camp among the trees was found with evidence of drug taking and alcohol.

Materials used by the youngsters to build the camp are believed to have included potentially hazardous asbestos.

Maidstone council staff were called in to remove dangerous materials.

PC Mark Hedges, Project Officer for Shepway and Senacre, said: "We will be monitoring the area closely to ensure there are no further problems or anti-social behaviour. We will also ensure that no more makeshift camps are built."