Police beach
Policeman looks out over a British harbour REUTERS/Nigel Roddis

Police have arrested three teenagers after a woman was allegedly raped on a Kent beach on Saturday night (15 October).

A large police presence descended on Sunny Sands in Folkestone and a police helicopter circled the area after the incident occurred around 8pm.

According to police, the helicopter helped to locate one of the arrested suspects.

"Kent Police is investigating the reported rape of a woman on Sunny Sands beach, Folkestone, at about 8pm on Saturday, 15 October 2016," a police spokesman told Kent Live.

"An 18-year-old man and two 16-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with the incident and remain in custody. The National Police Air Service helicopter was used to help locate one of the suspects."

Detectives are now appealing for any witnesses who might have crucial details about the incident to come forward.

"If we had heard anything we definitely would have gone down with the dogs to see what was happening. I've asked the council for lights at this end but there needs to be three major incidents in the area before they will do anything," one local resident told Kent Live.

"There were a few cases of people falling in the sea down here over the summer. It can be a dangerous place."

Anyone with information is urged to call 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/37152/16.