Police officers teamed up with farmers and villagers to tackle rural crime.

Officers, PCSOs , special constables and members of the 'rural task force' carried out patrols on Sunday to deter potential offenders.

They arrested a number of people and handed out crime prevention advice to members of the community.

During the operation police stopped a car in Maidstone Road, Lenham, and arrested a man on suspicion of drink driving.

Clifford Wood, 50, was later charged and bailed, he will appear at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on September 17.

A 61-year-old man was also found sleeping in a car in Kettle Hill, Otterden, with eight dogs - the man was later reported to the RSPCA due to the condition of the animals.

Another incident saw a 50-year-old man driving without a licence, insurance, or wearing a seat belt in Street Field, Ulcombe. He was with a 48-year-old woman who was in possession of the class B drug, amphetamine.

A number of people were issued with driving offences, a number of speeding tickets were handed out to motorists on the A20 at Harrietsham and three people received warnings for riding motorcycles in an antisocial manner in Hollingbourne.

Sergeant Tristan Stevensof the Maidstone community safety unit said: "This is the third operation of this type in recent months and demonstrates Kent Police’s commitment to tackling rural crime.

"This is not just the police protecting our communities but the communities protecting themselves in partnership with us.

"We place just as much importance on our rural communities as we do on those in and around the town centre, and will continue to focus on the issues that matter most to the people who live and work there."

Further operations are planned targeting other rural locations in the Maidstone district.

Those who wish to get involved are invited to email csu.maidstone@kent.pnn.police.uk and include Op Innovate in the subject title.