Two women attacked at Gravesend Sikh temple with ‘bladed weapon’ as teenager is bundled to ground by cops and arrested
Locals told how two people were attacked with a 'large knife'
TWO women have been attacked at a Sikh temple with a “bladed weapon” – with a teenager arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Cops scrambled to a “disturbance” at the Gurdwara in Gravesend, Kent at 8.10pm yesterday evening.
Two people suffered injuries which are not life-threatening but they had “cuts and bruises”.
An air ambulance landed on playing fields nearby and cops set up a cordon on two roads near the temple.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a religiously aggravated public order offence.
Cops remain at the Gurdwara but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged attack.
A bladed weapon was recovered from the scene, police said.
Detective Superintendent Ian Dyball, of Kent Police, said: “We understand the community’s concerns in relation to the events at the Gurdwara, however we are treating it as an isolated incident.
“Patrols will remain in the area for reassurance and we thank the community for their ongoing support and assistance.”
A local told the : “The police helicopter was circling over the town centre at around 8pm,
“Shortly afterwards the air ambulance landed in the grounds of the Gurdwara.
“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.”
Gravesend Gurdwara spokesman Jagdev Singh Virdee said: “A person has been arrested by Kent Police on suspicion of attempted murder.
“They had entered the gurdwara and were creating an incident in one of the Darbar Halls.
“The Gurdwara is cooperating fully with Kent Police who are treating the incident very seriously.
“The District Commander is on site to support whilst the investigation is ongoing.
“The person was spotted by the gurdwara security team and police were called immediately.”
Local MP Lauren Sullivan said: “I am shocked and saddened by the incident at the Gurdwara in Gravesend this evening.”
She added: “My thought are with those hurt, their family, and the community.
“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 is right that we let the emergency services deal with the situation and complete their investigation and release the information as they can.”