Police have arrested 11 men after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a gang of men at Bluewater shopping centre.

The victim says she was attacked by seven men while she was waiting for the bus home on Mother's Day.

Ten of the 11 people arrested, all aged between 16 and 22, are currently on bail as officers continue to investigate the incident on March 6. The other was released without charge

Attack: A woman has allegedly been sexually assaulted by a gang of seven men at Bluewater, pictured

The alleged assault is said to have happened in a car park at Bluewater near Dartford in Kent, formerly Britain's largest shopping centre, which has its own police station.

The woman was bundled into a van and subjected to a three-hour sexual assault, according to Kent Online.

Kent Police said in a statement: 'Kent Police is investigating after receiving a report that a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted in a car park at Bluewater between 6.30pm and 9pm on March 6.

'As part of ongoing enquiries, 11 arrests have been made in connection with the inquiry.'

A spokesman for Bluewater said: 'Kent Police is investigating an incident that took place in a Bluewater car park on March 6.

Investigation: The attack is said to have taken place in the car park of the shopping centre, pictured

'From day one this has been a police matter and therefore we can't and don't comment on an ongoing investigation.

'The safety and wellbeing of our staff and guests is our highest priority.

'Bluewater's security procedures are regularly reviewed and tested, and we have a 24 hour security team and dedicated onsite Kent police officers.

'As well as extensive CCTV across the whole of Bluewater, our car parks are patrolled and we have security vehicles that provide a further visible presence.'

Local councillor Keith Kelly said: 'I'm absolutely horrified. If it is proven to be accurate then it is a horrifying incident in a very public place.

'Bluewater is a very safe environment. We fully support the police in their efforts to fully investigate it.'

And mother-of-four Louise Freeman, 40, who regularly shops at the centre, today spoke of her horror at the news of the alleged assault.

'I am totally shocked that this has happened,' she said. 'It would have been so busy there - even on a Sunday evening.