Police in Maidstone used a knife bar to keep the town centre free of weapons while fans gathered to watch England play, just days after a stabbing.

The force has revealed the technology was available to high visibility patrols on Wednesday evening, with people gathering for the Three Lions' Euro 2020 victory against Denmark that night.

Four days earlier, a man was stabbed in Lower Stone Street and, as of Wednesday, five people had been arrested as a result of that incident.

But on Wednesday night, only two people were arrested despite the raucous celebrations.

Officers had a range of proactive measures at their disposal, including weapon sweeps and the use of the knife bar, as they monitored areas such as Brenchley Gardens, Week Street, Earl Street and Jubilee Square.

Kent Police officers were assisted to deter violence - and crackdown on other issues such as County Lines criminality - by colleagues from British Transport Police.

The two arrests made on Wednesday were for affray, with the other one being linked to outstanding offences.

Officers first used the knife bar - which functions like a metal detector - in Brenchley Gardens in the town in 2019.

An anti-knife crime rally also took place later that year following the fatal stabbing of student Andre Bent in Maidstone, while violence spilled onto the streets after a night out.

Inspector Steve Kent said: "Maidstone has a vibrant night-time economy and the vast majority of people act responsibly and are well behaved.

"However, having an enhanced police presence in key areas, such as train stations and town centre locations, remains key to tackling and reducing violent crime. It also ensures we are able to effectively target those who seek to travel from other areas, such as gang members intent on supplying drugs, or those who use the train network to carry out other crimes such as shoplifting.

"Partnership work, such as with British Transport Police, as well as our relationships with local retailers and licensees, remain so important in ensuring that - on the whole - Maidstone remains a safe place for its residents and visitors.

"Please also remember that your help remains vital."

He added anyone who sees anything suspicious should call 101 or 999 if they think a crime is in progress.

England progressed to the final courtesy of an own-goal and an extra-time winner from captain Harry Kane, with Gareth Southgate's team having fallen behind to a Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick in the first half.

They face Italy in the final on Sunday at Wembley, kick-off at 8pm.

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