Police today moved to quell growing rumours that a serial sex attacker is on the loose in Rainham.

It follows investigations into the second of two unconnected stranger sex attacks reported in the town being dropped.

Kent Police said information has come to light that has revealed that the reported incident did not take place.

Police had already revealed yesterday that the first alleged attack is not being treated as a stranger attack either.

Acting Superintendent Mark Arnold said: "There have been a number of rumours circulating in Rainham in relation to two unconnected incidents that were reported in Rainham last week.

"We would like to stress that there have been only two reported incidents, and both were not connected in any way.

"Following extensive investigations by officers in Medway and the Major Crime team, both reports are no longer being investigated as stranger sexual assaults.

"Kent Police takes all reports such as this extremely seriously, and we will always carry out thorough investigations into such incidents.

"I understand that a number of people have become concerned in Rainham, but we are now able to comprehensively say that no stranger sexual assaults took place in the area last week."

A meeting will be held today between 11am and 3pm at Rainham railway station, where people can ask questions or raise concerns.

The unrelated incidents were alleged to have happened on Monday and Tuesday last week.

The first, which was not reported to police until Wednesday, reportedly happened on Monday afternoon in Cherry Tree Road.

Officers sealed off the area while forensic experts examined the scene, part of Mierscourt Road was also cordoned off and remained so until the next morning.

The second incident was said to have occurred in Rainham Recreation Ground, just off Station Road on Tuesday.

A woman aged 41 told officers she was attacked in the park at about 10.30pm.