A suspected drug-dealer jumped into a river as he was approached by police, who were forced to wade in after him.

The man was stopped in the Westgate Gardens in Canterbury yesterday, but when officers walked towards him, he reportedly started to run away.

He then entered the River Stour, with police following him into the water and arresting him shortly after.

It came after a report of a property in the Whitstable Road area of the city being used as a base for drug dealing.

Officers from the force's county lines and gangs team carried out a raid that morning.

Two people suspected of being victims of "cuckooing" - where drug dealers take over their property - were offered safeguarding.

The investigation then led officers to the Westgate Gardens, where they arrested a 25-year-old man from Romford, east London, on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply.

"County lines offenders remain highly adaptable in their operating methods..."

In the early hours of today, officers on patrol near the property also arrested a 20-year-old man from London on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. Three mobile phones and a large quantity of cash were also seized.

The pair remain in custody while work to secure the property from illegal activity continues.

Detective Sergeant Robert Goodban said: "County lines offenders remain highly adaptable in their operating methods and practices, including in the recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable people.

"They seek to target vulnerable people, taking over their homes and ‘cuckooing’ them. Kent Police is committed to the protection of vulnerable adults.

"We ask residents to remain vigilant and if people see something suspicious and believe there is drug criminality going on in their community, report it to Kent Police on 999 or 101 so officers can investigate and take action.

"The information provided to officers may be the missing piece needed to identify dealers and disrupt their illegal activity."