Fights have been breaking out on overcrowded trains on the Kent coast, police say.

Officers have received a number of reports of anti-social behaviour and brawls erupting in busy carriages from commuters in the county.

One traveller took to Twitter on Sunday to say her journey from Broadstairs had been blighted by drug-taking youths.

"The 7.59pm train was overcrowded and full of teens who were starting fights and smoking weed in the toilets," she said.

"I had to get a connecting train while the emergency services had to deal with it.

"Southeastern need longer services on predicted hot days and the British Transport Police onboard because they were out of control. Everyone was on edge."

A British Transport Police spokesman says the force has noticed a spike in reports of similar cases on the coast during this month's heatwave.

He stresses that officers will continue to be posted at seaside stations.

The spokesman said: "We’ve been made aware of quite a few tweets recently from members of the public travelling aboard services, especially ones from the coast during this period of hot weather, concerning anti-social behaviour, fights and overcrowding issues.

"We have and will continue to have officers at coastal stations to make sure everybody has a safe journey home after enjoying the seaside, or even if you're travelling back from work."

The force is urging passengers to report incidents by texting it on 61016 or by calling 999 in emergencies.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here

Keep up-to-date with developments on transport and stories that will impact how you travel

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet