Armed police detained a man in woodland near Canterbury on Sunday on suspicion of a firearms offence following concerns for public safety

Officers were called to East Blean Wood, Hicks Forstal Road, at around 9.40am and a 22-year-old from Canterbury was arrested for carrying an air gun in a public place. His dog was also seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act

Inquiries revealed he was using the gun to shoot rabbits and he was later given a police caution.

Police seized the dog because it was suspected of being a pit bull type.

Following an examination by a qualified Dog Legislation Officer, the animal was found not to be a substantive type and returned to its owner.