Horror as two Sikh worshippers 'stabbed with large knife' at Kent gurdwara, with teen boy arrested for attempted murder

12 July 2024, 07:11 | Updated: 12 July 2024, 07:45

Two worshippers have been attacked at a gurdwara in Kent
Two worshippers have been attacked at a gurdwara in Kent. Picture: Social media/Alamy

By Kit Heren

A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two Sikh worshippers were attacked at a gurdwara in Kent.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The knife attack took place at Gravesend's Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, said to be the largest in Europe, on Thursday evening.

Footage shared online shows a boy being pinned to the floor by police. Other images show worshippers with cuts to their hands and wrists.

Police said the injuries sustained by the victims were not life-threatening.

The gurdwara said in a statement that the attack was "random". The full circumstances of the attack are unclear.

Read more: Harrowing moment Sikh priest, 62, 'left for dead' after 'brushing past woman' in street

Read more: Man, 29, guilty of setting two elderly Muslim worshippers on fire outside mosques in London and Birmingham

Sikh Gurdwara in Gravesend Kent
Sikh Gurdwara in Gravesend Kent. Picture: Alamy

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner visited the same gurdwara only a few weeks ago on a campaign trip to Gravesend.

Police said in a statement: "Kent Police was called at 8.10pm on Thursday 11 July to a report of a disturbance at a Gurdwara on Saddington Street in Gravesend.

"It was reported that two people had sustained injuries that were not considered to be life threatening and are being treated locally.

"A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

"Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident but remain on scene while enquiries are ongoing."

A local resident said: "The police helicopter was circling over the town centre at around 8pm, shortly afterwards the air ambulance landed in the grounds of the Gurdwara."

They told Kent Online: "There were two ambulances and five police vehicles parked in Trinity Road which was taped off by Holy Trinity primary school.

"A neighbour said that she'd heard that two people had been stabbed inside the gurdwara with a large knife."

Lauren Sullivan, the Labour MP for Gravesend, said: "I am shocked and saddened by the incident at the Gurdwara in Gravesend this evening.

"My thoughts are with those hurt, the family, and their community."

She added: "I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to this awful event.

"Full details are still emerging and there are many rumours running about it so it is right that we let the emergency services deal with the situation and complete their investigation and release the information as they can."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Judges Patrick Lipton Robinson (L) from Jamaica, ruled that Britain should give up its ownership of the Chagos Islands.

Judge who ruled Britain should give up Chagos Islands says UK 'obliged' to pay £18 trillion in slavery reparations

Watch the shocking moment a £2.8 million 18-carat solid gold toilet was stolen in Blenheim Palace in less than five minutes.

Watch the moment a solid gold toilet worth £2.8 million was stolen in 'just five minutes' at Blenheim Palace

Breaking
Breaking News

'Shots fired' outside trial over death of boxer as several reported injured

Breaking
Henry Kelly

Radio and TV legend Henry Kelly dies aged 78

New housing reforms have been announced after the Grenfell Tower Inquiry found 'industry failures'.

‘Never again’: Rayner vows to curb failures behind Grenfell tragedy as seven organisations face investigation

The skull was found by a fishing boat 150 miles off the coast of north Scotland

Human skull found by fishing boat in North Sea - as police issue facial recreation in hopes to identify unknown woman

BP

BP to slash renewables investment and boost gas and oil production

Collins claims her birthday is October 23, 2002 - putting her around the same age as McCann.

American woman claims she has 'DNA proof' she is missing Brit Madeleine McCann

Skunk Anansie bass player reveals cancer diagnosis

Skunk Anansie star reveals stage four cancer diagnosis which inspired 'emotional' new album

Thousands of Israelis have lined the streets for the funeral procession of hostage Shiri Bibas and her young sons after their remains were returned from Gaza.

'I couldn't protect you': Husband's tearful eulogy for Shiri Bibas and sons as thousands gather for hostages' funeral

Louisa (Lulu) Palmisano.

Man charged after girl, 3, killed in Manchester tram crash

Brits have had their say on what constitutes wealth

How much do you need to be paid to be wealthy? Brits have their say - and the answer is surprising

Long lines formed at New Look stores across Ireland today as the retailer opened for the final time, offering a closing down sale.

New Look closures: Full list of 26 Irish stores set to close as high-street brand enters liquidation

Liam Payne died in October

Liam Payne's blood alcohol levels at time of death revealed

Snow blizzard on Battersea Bridge, Chelsea, London, UK

Met Office map reveals which areas of UK are set to be battered by snow today as wet and windy weather sets in

Johnson, Chapeltown and Gatewood were each sentenced to seven years and two months in custody.

WATCH: Chilling moment gangsters armed with machetes and a gun chase teen through street in broad daylight