A UKIP candidate says parts of Gravesend are 'no go zones' because of the presence of gangs of Eastern European immigrants.

Janice Atkinson, who is a candidate in the south east region, spoke out after a series of raids by police raids across Kent last week in an operation targeting sexual exploitation gangs.

The raids in Margate, Folkestone, Dover and Gravesend led to a number of arrests.

The 22 suspects were Roma immigrants originally from Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Ms Atkinson said: "Kent is on the frontline, both in border terms and where gangs are choosing to settle.

"The UK Border Agency is under resourced and immigration officers cannot ask EU migrants how long they are planning to stay.

"There are now no-go areas of Kent and this is unacceptable."