Police have arrested 55 people during a week of action to tackle gang-related crime in Kent.

Between Monday, January 23 and Friday, January 27, officers from across the county took part in an operation to crackdown on those involved in the supply of drugs and other offences including knife crime and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

The operation aimed to disrupt and target offenders linked to London gangs who attempt to sell and distribute Class A drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine in Kent.

Working with the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police, officers carried out a number of intelligence-led stop checks to vehicles and individuals.

At Gravesend train station around 140 wraps believed to contain drugs were seized by officers following a stop and search. A 21-year-old man from Bow in London was arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

A 17-year-old from Wembley was arrested for possession of a knife after he was stopped by plain clothes officers in Gillingham, having been identified as travelling on a train from London.

In Canterbury, a 28- year-old man from Southend-on-Sea was arrested after officers recovered drugs reported to have been discarded at a location in Northgate.

A vehicle was stopped on the M20, near Ashford, which led to the arrests of three people on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

When officers searched a vehicle in Thorold Road, Chatham, an 18-year-old man from West Hendon, London man was taken into custody for possessing a knife.

In Gillingham, a further three suspects from areas of London, in Hackney and Tottenham, were arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs after a car was also stopped and searched.

During the week of action search warrants were also executed at a number of different properties. A man and a woman were arrested in Chatham on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs after a search at an address in Chatham Grove. An object believed to be a Taser device was also seized by police.

'There will be no let-up in our determination to keep these people of our streets' - Dep Chief Supt Rob Fordham

In Tonbridge, four people were detained after a search warrant was carried out at a property in Bridge Close, where officers recovered at least 30 wraps believed to contain Class A drugs.

Dep Chief Supt Rob Fordham said: "We are working relentlessly to identity and tackle individuals associated with gangs, who are often from the London area. Their activities are generally linked to the supply of drugs, which can pose significant risks to our communities. Our use of both uniformed and plain clothes officers is already making it very hard for gangs to gain a foothold anywhere in Kent and there will be no let-up in our determination to keep these people of our streets.

"This week of action is part of our sustained and co-ordinated focus on the activity of any gang-related offenders, with robust and rigorous enforcement. The operation has achieved some excellent results and we hope our subsequent inquiries will see a significant number of suspects brought before the courts.

"We also continue to need your help, so remember to report any suspicious behaviour. By continuing to work together we not only ensure Kent remains a safe place to live but we are getting the message through to criminals that there is no hiding place from the law."

Call 101 to report anything suspicious, or 999 if it’s an emergency. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.