A British soldier is fighting for his life in hospital today after he was stabbed multiple times outside an Army barracks in Kent.
The victim, in his 40s, was attacked at around 6pm on Tuesday evening around 200 yards from Brompton Barracks in Gillingham.
Witnesses say he was attacked by a man in a ski mask wearing a NASA bomber jacket who arrived on a moped. While the motive is not yet known, police confirmed a 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
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Eyewitness – Soldier attack is ‘very, very scary’
Horrified residents told how they had just sat down for dinner when they heard ‘huge screams’ outside their homes.
One woman living nearby said she saw the attacker giving a final stab wound to a victim who was on the floor when she got to the window.
She could not see if the person was wearing a military uniform.
It’s very, very scary’, she said.
Blood was everywhere as I tried to apply pressure to his wounds until the police arrived.
The guy was looking for a soldier to attack. When the guy’s wife came out and started trying to pull the guy off he didn’t even try to hurt her. He only had his sights set on hurting a British soldier.
Breaking: General Sir Roly Walker ‘deeply saddened’ by stabbing attack
Chief of General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, has said he is “deeply saddened” by the “horrific” and “unprovoked attack” on an army officer in Gillingham.
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.
Breaking: Home Office not treating attack as terror
The Home Office is not treating the stabbing of a British soldier in Kent as terror-related, the BBC is reporting.
Officials are said to believe the attack may have been the result of a mental health episode.
Home Secretary – I’m receiving updates from police
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also tweeted about the soldier attack and said she is receiving briefings from Kent Police.
Her predecessor and now shadow home secretary James Cleverly has also commented this morning following the attack.
Police statement – Victim in serious condition
We have yet to hear from Kent Police today but here is the statement the force issued last night after the attack took place.
Investigators have yet to rule out terror as a possible motive.
Here is the statement in full:
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 enquiries to establish the circumstances are ongoing.
Local residents can expect to see an ongoing police presence in the area.
Breaking: Keir Starmer – I’m shocked and appalled by soldier attack
The Prime Minister has now commented on the soldier attack as he posted a statement on X.
Soldiers forbidden from leaving Army base after attack
Brompton Barracks is the home of the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.
Many of its soldiers live adjacent to the base in army families accommodation.
Soldiers at the Army base were understood to have been forbidden from leaving until police ensured there was no further threat to personnel.
In a statement released last night following the incident in Gillingham an Army spokesperson 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.
Masked knifeman ‘licked blood from his weapon’
Disturbing details about the attack include claims the knife assailant licked blood from one of his weapons in front of terrified locals who had rushed out of their homes to help the serviceman.
One witness told The Sun:
Blood was everywhere as I tried to apply pressure to his wounds until the police arrived.
The guy was looking for a soldier to attack. When the guy’s wife came out and started trying to pull the guy off he didn’t even try to hurt her. He only had his sights set on hurting a British soldier.
Photos of the alleged attacker appear to show him stood next to a red moped while wearing a ski mask and a bomber jacket with the NASA logo on it.
Map: Where did the attack take place?
Kent Police were called to reports of a serious assault in Sally Port Gardens in Gillingham just before 6pm.
The quiet residential street lies around 200 yards from Brompton Barracks and is believed to be home to some military families.
Brompton Barracks has been home to the Royal Engineers since 1812, and now houses the Royal Engineers Museum.
Pictures from the scene: Soldier stabbed outside Kent barracks
These pictures were taken from the scene of a stabbing near Brompton Barracks in which a soldier was stabbed multiple times with a knife.
Kent Police have said local residents can expect to see an ‘ongoing presence’ in the area.
Defence Secretary – Soldier attack is ‘shocking’
Defence Secretary John Healey said the stabbing of a soldier in Kent on Tuesday night was ‘shocking’.
In a statement posted on X this morning he said his thoughts were with the serviceman and his family.
British soldier stabbed in Kent: What do we know?
If you’re just joining us this morning, we will be providing live updates on an attack of a British Army serviceman near Brompton Barracks in Gillingham last night.
Here’s what you need to know:
A British soldier was stabbed multiple times in broad daylight as he walked home in his uniform at around 6pm on Tuesday
The victim, who is in his 40s, is in a serious condition in hospital after he received injuries to his face and the rest of his body during the frenzied attack which lasted around 20 seconds.
Horrified witnesses say the attacker was armed with two kitchen knives when he arrived on the scene in a ski mask after driving a moped.
Police have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. They have not ruled out terrorism as a motive.
Ministry of Defence sources say it is too soon to deduce any intentions lying behind the attack. Defence Secretary John Healey said the stabbing was ‘shocking’.
We will bring you updates as and when we can on this developing story.
The attack on a British soldier who was stabbed multiple times near his barracks in broad daylight lasted around 20 seconds, Matthew Lodge, Marc Nicol and Jon Brady report
Horrified witnesses say the attacker was armed with two kitchen knives and stabbed the man repeatedly – the air filled with a ‘blood-curdling scream’. After the assault, the soldier attempted to stagger back to his house despite his injuries.
But the attacker is alleged to have pursued him to carry out a second attack and was only stopped when the soldier’s wife intervened.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage after a British soldier was stabbed outside an Army base in Kent.
The victim, who is in his 40s, was repeatedly attacked with a knife in broad daylight yesterday as he walked in his uniform around 200 yards from Brompton Barracks in Gillingham.
Witnesses say he was attacked by a man in a ski mask wearing a NASA bomber jacket who arrived on a moped.
Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you the latest developments on the attack plus all the reaction.
Key Updates
General Sir Roly Walker ‘deeply saddened’ by stabbing attack
Home Office not treating attack as terror
Keir Starmer – I’m shocked and appalled by soldier attack
Masked knifeman ‘licked blood from his weapon’
Defence Secretary – Soldier attack is ‘shocking’
British soldier stabbed in Kent: What do we know?
20 seconds of horror: How masked assailant attacked British soldier outside barracks
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Kent stabbing latest: British soldier fights for life after attack near barracks
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