"Patrols will remain in the area for reassurance"
A teenager has been arrested after an attack at a Gurdwara left two people injured.
A huge police presence descended on Gravesend at around 8 pm on July 11, 2024, after a suspect armed with a blade entered the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara.
Two female victims were left with cuts and bruises to their hands and arms but no one was seriously injured.
The weapon was recovered from the scene and no one else is being sought by the police.
Footage showed the moment the 17-year-old was wrestled to the ground and arrested by police on suspicion of attempted murder and a religiously aggravated public order offence.
An air ambulance landed on the playing fields near the Gurdwara while a cordon was set up in both nearby Trinity Road and Khalsa Avenue.
A spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 8:10 pm on Thursday, July 11 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.”
Alleged attempted stabbing by the Sikh temple in Gravesend.
*Update – Apparently a couple of lads tried to rob the temple, Ended up stabbing a couple of ladies with swords.https://t.co/KGVT14aHeN pic.twitter.com/i9LXwfdJqH
— London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) July 11, 2024
Detective Superintendent Ian Dyball said it was being treated as an “isolated incident”.
He said: “Patrols will remain in the area for reassurance and we thank the community for their ongoing support and assistance.”
Officers remained outside the building on the morning of July 12 while inquiries were ongoing.
Jagdev Singh Virdee, a spokesman for the Gurdwara, said:
“A person has been arrested by Kent Police on suspicion of attempted murder, after entering the Gurdwara and creating an incident in one of the Darbar Halls.
“The Gurdwara is cooperating fully with Kent Police who are treating the incident very seriously, with the District Commander on site to support whilst the investigation is ongoing.
“The person was spotted by the Gurdwara security team and police were called immediately.”
He said the incident happened shortly after Sukhasan and the holy book Guru Granth Sahib Ji was not present in the hall.
Dr Laura Sullivan, the MP for Gravesham, said:
“I am shocked and saddened by the incident at the Gurdwara in Gravesend.
“My thoughts are with those hurt, their family, and their 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, 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.”
Loading ...