A man has been arrested after a woman was reportedly sexually assaulted and threatened with a weapon on New Year’s Eve.

The suspect is alleged to have approached the victim by the bandstand in Victoria Gardens, near Albany Terrace in Chatham.

He is said to have followed her after she attempted to flee the scene.

The woman was then approached by the same man outside a petrol station in New Road where he threatened her with a weapon.

Police attended 10 minutes later and arrested a 51-year-old.

He was later bailed until March 26.

The incidents reportedly happened at about 11.45pm on December 31.

The pair are not believed to have known each other.

DC Robert Hughes, of the North Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, is urging people to come forward should they have any information.

He said: "We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incidents in Jackson’s Field or New Road to contact our appeal line.

"Drivers with dashcam and residents with private CCTV in the Albany Terrace, Ordnance Terrace, Railway Street, Gibraltar Hill and New Road areas are also asked to check for relevant footage."

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/44/24.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.