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A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a “huge scream” was heard as a soldier was knifed in a bloody attack near an Army barracks in Kent.
Locals rushed to help the serviceman, who is in his 40s, in Gillingham on Tuesday afternoon after he was stabbed by a masked knifeman with what witnesses described as two 10in kitchen knives before fleeing the scene on a moped.
The victim was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after he was found with stab wounds in Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham at around 5.55pm.
Kent Police arrested a 24-year-old local man on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene minutes later.
Describing the incident as “very, very scary”, one woman living nearby said she was sitting down to dinner with her family when they heard a “huge scream”.
As they got to the window, she said she saw an attacker inflicting a final stab wound on a person who was on the ground, before fleeing on a moped – although she could not see if the victim was wearing a military uniform.
The Army declined to comment on reports that the soldier, who was airlifted to hospital for treatment, was in uniform at the time.
Chief of General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, condemned the “horrific and unprovoked attack” on the officer, saying he is “deeply saddened” by the incident.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “shocked and appalled”, writing on X: “All our thoughts are with the soldier, his family and our Armed Forces community, who serve to keep all of us safe. I wish him a swift recovery.”
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.”
Chilling doorbell footage has captured blood curdling screams as a soldier was stabbed in a savage attack outside his home.
Neighbours spoke of their horror at hearing piercing screams as the uniformed serviceman was attacked and a woman, thought to be the victim’s wife, tried to intervene outside the property near army barracks in Gillingham, Kent.
Footage shared with The Independent showed the moment Alex Reynolds, 38, and his father heard the chaos unfolding a few hundred yards away just before 6pm.
By the time he reached the scene a crowd of onlookers was already gathered around the wounded soldier, who was wearing camouflage military fatigues.
Mr Reynolds told The Independent: “I came out on to the street and went over to the corner.
“It was a minute and a half after the incident and there were already 10 people around the body.
“The man was lying there and not moving. We presumed he was dead but I think he was told to just not move. There were already stories about people who had seen the motorbike speed off in the other direction.
“A car had chased the motorbike down the road.
“We spoke to one of his colleagues and he [the victim] always goes for a walk at that time just before 6pm.”
Mr Reynolds and his wife Natasha, 30, said the victim was the only one dressed in military uniform at the scene and the knifeman “didn’t attack anyone else”.
“The lady was just screaming saying what are you doing,” he added.
“I took my son to nursery this morning and we always see military walking by. I just said sorry to them and I hope he is OK.”
Natasha added: “I hope he is going to have a good recovery because it’s really dreadful what happened.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said it was “shocking” to hear of the attack on the soldier, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the incident as “shocking and appalling”. Shadow home secretary James Cleverly said the stabbing was “horrific”.
The incident happened near Brompton Barracks, the historic headquarters of the British Army’s 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment. Sally Port Gardens Road is the location for Lampard Centre, which is used for activities by soldiers and their families.
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.”
Kent Police said in a statement: “An investigation has been launched following reports of a serious assault in Gillingham.
“Kent Police was called at around 5.55pm on Tuesday 23 July 2024 to reports a man in his 40s had suffered injuries consistent with stab wounds in Sally Port Gardens.
“The victim was taken to hospital, where his condition is described as serious.
“Officers attended the scene and at approximately 6.20pm a 24-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
“A cordon is currently in place around the scene of the incident and inquiries to establish the circumstances are ongoing.
“Local residents can expect to see an ongoing police presence in the area.”
