Man arrested after body of teenage girl pulled from sea

The teenager's body was recovered on Sunday morning off the coast of Broadstairs, Kent

The teenager's body was recovered off the coast of Broadstairs beach

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a teenage girl was pulled from the sea in Kent.

Officers were called to the Port of Ramsgate at around 5am on Sunday morning following concerns for the welfare of a girl in the water, Kent Police said.

A search involving boats and a helicopter was carried and the girl’s body was recovered at 7:45am off the coast of Broadstairs.

The 21-year-old man from Ramsgate has been arrested and remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gossett, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: "The body is believed to be that of a teenage girl from Ramsgate and her next of kin have been informed. Formal identification has not yet taken place.

"We are currently carrying out inquiries into the circumstances behind the incident."