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A person has been arrested on suspicion of tried homicide after a “large scream” was heard as a soldier was knifed in a bloody assault close to an Military barracks in Kent.
Locals rushed to assist the serviceman, who’s in his 40s, in Gillingham on Tuesday afternoon after he was stabbed by a masked knifeman who fled the scene on a moped.
The sufferer was discovered with severe accidents in keeping with stab wounds in Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham at round 5.55pm.
Police have since arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of tried homicide.
Describing the incident as “very, very scary”, one girl residing close to the scene stated she was sitting right down to dinner along with her household once they heard a “large scream”.
As they received to the window, she noticed an attacker inflicting a last stab wound on an individual who was on the bottom, earlier than fleeing on a moped – though she couldn’t see if the sufferer was sporting a navy uniform.
The Military declined to touch upon stories that the soldier, who was airlifted to hospital for therapy, was in uniform on the time.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated he was “shocked and appalled” by the incident. He wrote on X: “All our ideas are with the soldier, his household and our Armed Forces group, who serve to maintain all of us secure. I want him a swift restoration.”
Defence Secretary John Healey stated it was “surprising to listen to of an assault on a soldier in Kent”, including: “My ideas are with the soldier and his household, who deserve privateness at this tough time. On behalf of the federal government, I want him a swift restoration.”
The incident passed off close to Brompton Barracks, the historic residence of the Royal Engineers. Sally Port Gardens Street is the situation for Lampard Centre, which is used for actions by troopers and their households.
One other witness, who rushed to his support, informed The Solar newspaper the attacker ran on the soldier and stabbed him repeatedly.
The sufferer had “wounds throughout his physique”, the witness stated, including: “Blood was in all places as I attempted to use stress to his wounds till the police arrived.
“When the man’s spouse got here out and began attempting to drag the man off he didn’t even attempt to harm her.”
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of tried homicide at 6.20pm, Kent Police stated.
The street the place police stated the incident occurred is close to Brompton Barracks, the headquarters of the British Military’s 1 Royal Faculty of Navy Engineering Regiment.
An Military spokesman stated: “We’re very sorry to verify {that a} soldier has sustained severe accidents in an assault in Chatham, Kent.
“Our ideas are with the soldier and their household and we request that their privateness is revered at this tough time.
“We are going to proceed to work intently with Kent Police to grasp what occurred and assist the investigation.
“Anybody who witnessed the assault or who has any related info ought to contact Kent Police.”
Kent Police stated in a press release: “An investigation has been launched following stories of a severe assault in Gillingham.
“Kent Police was referred to as at round 5.55pm on Tuesday 23 July 2024 to stories a person in his 40s had suffered accidents in keeping with stab wounds in Sally Port Gardens.
“The sufferer was taken to hospital, the place his situation is described as severe.
“Officers attended the scene and at roughly 6.20pm a 24-year-old native man was arrested on suspicion of tried homicide.
“A cordon is presently in place across the scene of the incident and inquiries to determine the circumstances are ongoing.
“Native residents can count on to see an ongoing police presence within the space.”
