Kent Police is investigating after a copy of the new Fifty Shades of Grey book was stolen.

The new book, called Grey, is due for release on June 18.

In reponse to the incident, which has been confirmed by the book's publisher, a Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers are making inquiries after receiving a report that a book had been stolen on June 8."

It is not clear whether the book - a reworking of the original Fifty Shades of Grey from the point of view of the title character - was stolen in the county.

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Fifty Shades author E. L. James

Publisher Penguin Random House says it will not rush to release Grey despite fears pirated versions could appear.

A spokeswoman said: "Grey will be published on June 18 - Christian Grey's birthday - as planned. We can confirm that the Kent police are investigating the theft of a finished copy of EL James's new book Grey.

"We will not be issuing any further statement."