A soldier in his 40s is in a serious but stable condition following a stabbing incident in Gillingham, which has now drawn the involvement of Counter-Terror Police alongside Kent Police.

The attack occurred near Brompton Barracks in Sally Port Gardens around 6 PM on Tuesday, leading to a substantial emergency response including armed police, forensic officers, and paramedics. A 24-year-old local man was apprehended shortly after the incident while fleeing the scene on a red moped in Mooring Road, Rochester.

Despite initial beliefs that the stabbing was not terror-related, the Counter-Terror Police are providing support to the investigation, though they are not leading the probe. This comes after police were granted an extension to further detain the suspect, who has been in custody for over 24 hours.

Acting Chief Superintendent Richard Woolley commented on the ongoing investigation, stating, “We are keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind this incident and are exploring a number of lines of inquiry. These include the possibility this incident was mental health-related as well as any links the suspect may have with the location of the assault.

The community has been left shaken by the violence. Local residents described the mood as being “knocked for six,” and the incident has garnered attention from high levels of government. Sir Keir Starmer, in his first appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions since assuming office, expressed his shock and conveyed well wishes to the victim and his family.

An Army spokesperson confirmed the soldier’s serious injuries and emphasized the importance of privacy and support for the soldier’s family during this challenging time. The Army is cooperating fully with the police to ascertain the details of the attack.

As the investigation continues, Kent Police reassures the public of increased patrols in the area to provide support and address community concerns. They urge anyone with information about the attack to come forward and assist with the ongoing inquiries.