Police have made a number of arrests in west Kent, targeting gangs, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

The wide-ranging operation across the area, known as Operation Panama, ran from Monday, October 19-Sunday, October 25.

Regular officers, PCSOs and volunteer specials carried out warrants at addresses, making a number of arrests.

Three men, including a 55-year-old from Tonbridge, a 53-year-old from Sevenoaks and a 68-year-old from Larkfield were arrested relating to indecent images of children.

Gang activity was also targeted, on Monday officers executed a warrant at a property in Quarry Road, Maidstone, and arrested three men aged 23, 37 and 40 on suspicion of drug offences.

They were released on bail pending further enquiries until January 6.

A number of properties were visited to gather further information about suspected brothels.

On Wednesday, October 21, an address in Good Station Road, Tunbridge Wells, was searched, where a 50-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of managing a brothel.

She was released on bail pending further enquiries until December 11.

Officers and Home Office immigration enforcement worked to identify potential victims of human trafficking, engaging with local residents and employers. No offences were found to have taken place.

Inspector Neil Kimber of Kent Police said: "Working closely with our partner agencies, officers executed a number of warrants throughout the week and made some very important arrests.

"Offences such as managing brothels and making indecent photographs of children have the potential to cause a great deal of harm to victims, which is why we take them so seriously and why they are among some of the key priorities for Kent Police.

"The week of enforcement also allowed us to visit lots of local employers and engage with countless members of the public, providing a high-visibility crime deterrent while gaining invaluable intelligence as well as information about what matters most to local people."