Men who were attempting to approach women, many who were drunk, while on a night out were stopped by police officers.

Patrols from Medway’s Community Safety Unit spent time in Rochester on Friday (July 28) and Saturday (July 29) evening as part of a planned operation to keep women and girls safe.

Statistically, reports of rape and sexual assaults peak during the summer months, in the late evening and early hours.

Whilst officers said there are no specific concerns in Rochester, the town has a lively nightlife with heavy footfall so plain-clothed and uniformed officers patrolled there to ensure those in the area were kept safe.

During the weekend, they arrested two men, stopped and searched eight people and intervened in various situations 14 times, which included getting women home safely after they were approached by men they did not know.

One man was stopped and his car searched after he was seen approaching a drunk woman after she had left a club in the High Street.

He was seen by plain-clothed officers persistently trying to get the woman to go home with him before he followed her to a taxi rank and continued in his efforts. They stepped in and his details were taken.

Another man was also spoken to after he was seen driving around the area before he left his vehicle and sat on a bench outside a bar, attempting to talk to various women.

He was stopped and his behaviour was challenged by officers who then also took his details.

Officers also found a drunk woman laying on the pavement in the High Street. They gave her and her friend a lift home.

During the operation, one man was stopped after he was seen driving in and around the area. He was searched and officers found him in possession of 60 bags of cocaine and £1,000 in cash. He was arrested and has since been bailed pending further inquiries.

Another man was arrested for an outstanding domestic offence after officers saw him on a bench where he appeared to be acting suspiciously and watching drunk people in the park.

Detective Superintendent Elly Maggs, of Kent Police’s north division, said: “Rochester is a popular location for people to enjoy the night-time economy due to its mix of bars, restaurants and clubs and while we will always respond to reports of crime, it is also important to be proactive and carry out work to prevent it.

“Kent Police is committed to tackling this issue and this ongoing work is just one way the force is continuing in its efforts to ensure those enjoying a night out can do so safely.

“We will continue to work with Medway Council, security firms, and the Safer Medway Partnership along with Street Pastors to ensure a visible presence, friendly support and robust enforcement where necessary.

“No one should expect to be a victim of crime and we want people to have fun without worrying about their personal safety.

“The unsettling reality is that anyone walking home alone after a night out can be vulnerable - whether you are a man or a woman. Our job is to do everything we can to keep communities safe and that includes preventive work like this.”

Both uniformed and plain-clothed officers will now be out in the town every Friday and Saturday night over the summer.

If you suspect a crime has taken place you should report it straight away, online or by calling 999 in an emergency. You can also report an incident online via the force’s website.