Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner and several councillors had to be moved to a secure room after protesters stormed a meeting about crime.

The Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel met at County Hall in Maidstone at 2pm today, but it had to be abandoned after a group of campaigners burst into the public gallery.

A group of around six campaigners chanted "shame on you" as members of the panel evacuated the room.

Six police officers were called to the scene.

Kent PCC Matthew Scott was attending the meeting, which involves Kent County Council, Medway Council, and police, to discuss crime in the county.

The protesters asked for their concerns about alleged fraud at the Lloyds Bank to be heard by Kent Police.

They are led by Trevor Mealham from Ashford and Bryan Henderson from Deal.

Protesters shout from the public gallery: credit Richard Palmer

Ashford business owner Mr Mealham, 50, said: "It's very sad again that we have come along and got nowhere.

"The commissioner is running away from the problem."

Mr Henderson, also a Lloyds customer and who was also issued with a parking ticket following the adjourned meeting, was angered by the silence in the council chamber.

He said: "It's an absolute disgrace."

A witness at the scene said councillors are responding calmly and it is a peaceful protest.

The pair had carried out a protest in Maidstone earlier this week.

All of the demonstrators have since been removed from the council chambers by officers and the meeting has resumed.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at around 2.20pm on Thursday 21 November 2019 to a reported disturbance at Sessions House in County Road, Maidstone.

"Officers attended the scene and spoke to those present.

"No arrests were made and a group of people were escorted from the premises."

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