A old graveyard has been taped off by police following reports of a rape in the early hours of this morning.

Officers have set up the cordon around the scene in Longport, Canterbury, where a woman in her late 20s said she was attacked at about 4.15am.

The spot – now mostly grassed and bordered by walls - is the old churchyard of St Paul’s.

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Margaret Allen, who lives next to the graveyard in Albert Road, said she could hear people talking outside her house in the early hours.

"The talking kept me awake this morning.

"The entrance through the graveyard is kept open at night and there are always people hanging around in there.

"We did ask the council some years ago for the gates to be closed in the evening but nothing has been done."

VIDEO: Police at the scene of the reported rape

The 73-year-old said the area is a haven for cannabis users.

"There's people there every night - people selling cannabis to the students," she said.

"They wait for the students to come along so they can sell them drugs."

Students living in Albert Road told KentOnline how they won't walk through the graveyard at night.

Psychology and sports exercise student George Wright said: "There's always shady stuff going on and it always smells of weed.

"If its dark we would never walk through there - we'll just go the long way around to uni."

Dhiren Patel studies History at Canterbury Christ Church University. He said: "We would never go down there at night it's just not worth it."

Police remain at the scene carrying out door-to-door enquiries.

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference number 23-0097.