A knife attack on a uniformed Army officer is not thought to be terror-related and the suspected attacker may have mental health problems, police have said.
Investigators have recovered a number of knives from the scene in Sally Port Gardens in Gillingham, Kent where a serviceman aged in his 40s was left with serious injuries just before 6pm on Tuesday.
Shocked witnesses described hearing screams as the officer was repeatedly stabbed by a masked attacker who fled the scene on a moped.
Head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, condemned the stabbing as “horrific and unprovoked”, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked and appalled”.
Rochester and Strood MP Lauren Edwards called on the public not to speculate on the reasons for the attack, and to support the injured soldier’s family.
“It’s horrific, it’s hugely concerning this is happening on peaceful streets like this,” she said.
“Everyone should pull behind the family, I know the armed forces are highly valued in Medway. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Kent Police said the serviceman, who was airlifted to hospital, is in a serious but stable condition.
A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a moped was stopped in Mooring Road, Rochester, about 35 minutes after the stabbing.
On Wednesday evening the force said it had been granted more time to hold him in custody.
“As he has now been in custody for more than 24 hours, an extension has been granted that gives officers more time to conduct enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident,” a spokesperson said.
Neighbours described seeing a handcuffed man being led away by police, and investigators remained at a house in the road on Wednesday, with sniffer dogs also being used in part of the road. Police said a number of knives were seized.
Acting Chief Superintendent Richard Woolley said: “We are keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind this incident and we are exploring a number of lines of inquiry – these include the possibility this incident was mental health-related as well as any links the suspect may have with the location of the assault.
“The investigation has been supported throughout by Counter Terrorism Policing South East as we work to establish the full circumstances. Kent Police officers will continue to be on patrol in the area to offer reassurance to members of the public and are more than happy to speak with anyone who is upset or concerned about what has happened.
“It remains the case that we do not currently believe anyone else was involved and there is no further information at this time to suggest any wider threats to the local community, including members of the armed forces.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim, his family and those who witnessed the incident at this difficult time.”
Alex Reynolds, 38, who lives near the scene, said he heard screams and went outside to see a man wearing a cream camouflage military uniform lying on the ground, surrounded by people trying to help.
Mr Reynolds’ Ring doorbell footage captured the screams, with someone heard shouting: “What the hell are you doing?”
He was told that the victim goes for a walk every night at around 6pm.
Another witness, who lives near the Brompton Medical Centre that is close to the scene, described the officer’s wife asking for medical help.
She said she heard the woman say: “My husband has been stabbed – is there a first aider?”
I am deeply saddened by the horrific and unprovoked attack on an officer yesterday. Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to defend our nation and deserve to be respected. My thoughts and best wishes are with him and his family. They have the full support of the chain…
— The Chief of the General Staff (@ArmyCGS) July 24, 2024
One woman living near the scene said she was sitting down to dinner with her family when they heard a “huge scream”.
As they got to the window, she saw the attacker inflicting a final stab wound on a person who was on the ground, before fleeing on a moped.
“It’s very, very scary,” she said.
Another witness, who rushed to the victim’s aid, told The Sun newspaper the attacker ran at the soldier and stabbed him repeatedly.
The victim had “wounds all over his body”, the witness said, adding: “Blood was everywhere as I tried to apply pressure to his wounds until the police arrived.
“When the guy’s wife came out and started trying to pull the guy off he didn’t even try to hurt her.”
Defence Secretary John Healey and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper both expressed their shock at the attack.
Sir Roly, who is chief of the General Staff, said in a post on X: “I am deeply saddened by the horrific and unprovoked attack on an officer yesterday.
“Our armed forces make extraordinary sacrifices to defend our nation and deserve to be respected.
“My thoughts and best wishes are with him and his family. They have the full support of the chain of command as they recover from this horrendous incident.”
The road where police said the incident took place is near Brompton Barracks, the headquarters of the British Army’s 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.
An Army spokesman said: “We’re very sorry to confirm that a soldier has sustained serious injuries in an attack in Chatham, Kent.
“Our thoughts are with the soldier and their family and we request that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.
“We will continue to work closely with Kent Police to understand what happened and support the investigation.
“Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any relevant information should contact Kent Police.”
It is understood that security was tightened up at the base in the immediate aftermath of the attack, but has since returned to normal levels.
