A police investigation is continuing after someone reportedly attempted to start a fire at Maidstone Crown Court.

Officers were called to reports of a suspicious incident at the site, in Barker Road, just before 8am yesterday (Friday).

It is understood a man was seen on CCTV cameras pouring liquid from a plastic bottle into the letterboxes outside the main entrance.

Footage from the court, and also the new McDonald’s restaurant opposite, has been inspected by police.

The letterboxes, which have now been sealed off, were believed to have been empty, preventing the fire from spreading.

One employee at the court said: “It could have really got out of hand if there had been post in the letterboxes. There has been a very strong smell coming from there this morning.”

Fire crews were called to assist police at 10.30am.

They remained on scene for around an hour, but left without carrying out any action.

A spokesperson for the courts and tribunals service said: "The incident is subject to a police investigation and there was minimal damage to the building."

The court is just 300 yards from Kingfisher Meadow, where police are investigating an arson attack which took place on Monday.

Emergency services descended on the scene, off Hart Street, at about 3am after three wheelie bins caught fire in the building's storage area.