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A group of men shouted abuse at Thanet locals while handing out Ukip leaflets on Sunday - but the party say they were part of an organised campaign of imposters out to discredit them.

Witnesses called the police after the men shouted insults at shoppers on Broadstairs High Street who refused to take their leaflets.

One local, who reported the incident in a letter to local community newspaper Thanet Watch, said there were between five and seven men, who shouted "communist scum", "left wing scum" and "paedophile protection party" at passers-by.

In the letter, the local said: "I said to the Ukip representatives that they shouldn't talk to the electorate in that way and was promptly told to "go home and knit another scarf". It was a very intimidating scene to witness, and two of the male supporters followed me down Charlotte Street. I reported the incident to the police."

Police confirmed in a statement they had received a complaint relating to the incident.

A Police spokesman said: "Officers attended and spoke with the members of the group and gave words of advice. No further reports were received."

According to Ukip, more than 500 activists descended on South Thanet on Sunday to campaign alongside leader Nigel Farage in the party's first 'Day of Action' in the area, which Farage will contest at the general election.

But a Ukip spokesman said the gang couldn't have been genuine activists, because "'kippers just wouldn't do that."

He even suggested the incident was part of an organised campaign of imposters who pose as Ukip activists, steal leaflets and deliberately behave badly in order to damage the party's reputation.

"You wouldn't believe how many times I've seen this," he said. "I've seen them nicking our kit, handing it out to the Britain First crowd, and then claiming Britain First support Ukip."

He continued: "I'm pretty sure we don't have gangs of five to seven thugs. Most of our supporters are about 55 years old and probably work in a charity shop."

No investigation has been undertaken by the party, he said, because there was no evidence to suggest the "thugs" were Ukip supporters, and because no photo or video evidence has come to light in order to identify them.

He said: "If there are party members behaving like that, they shouldn't be. They shouldn't be behaving like that, and they shouldn't be party members.

"It just doesn't ring true to me. If there's a problem, we'll deal with it."