Soldier seriously hurt in stabbing in Kent

A British Army soldier is in hospital with serious injuries after being stabbed in Kent.

The soldier was in uniform when he was attacked near his home on Tuesday, a defence source confirmed to the BBC.

Police said they were called to a "serious assault" on the man, who is in his 40s, just before 18:00 BST in Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham.

A man, 24, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder about 25 minutes later .

The road where police say the stabbing happened is near Brompton Barracks, the headquarters of the British Army's 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.

The solider was airlifted to hospital, and Kent Police said he was in a serious condition after suffering injuries consistent with stab wounds.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the stabbing was "shocking".

An Army statement sent to the BBC referred to the scene of the attack as Chatham, which is close to Gillingham.

“We’re very sorry to confirm that a soldier has sustained serious injuries in an attack in Chatham, Kent," an Army spokesperson said.

"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.”

A Kent Police spokesperson added: "A cordon is currently in place around the scene of the incident and inquiries to establish the circumstances are ongoing.

"Residents are advised to expect an ongoing police presence in the area."

In a statement on X, Mr Healey said the government wished the solider a "swift recovery".

He said: "Shocking to hear of an attack on a soldier in Kent.

"My thoughts are with the soldier and his family, who deserve privacy at this difficult time."

At the scene, BBC reporter Aruna Iyengar said: "It's a still, quiet morning outside Sally Port Gardens in Chatham where yesterday’s horrific events unfolded.

"A police cordon cuts off both ends of the road where the attack took place.

"A man walking to the station this morning told me, ‘It happened as I was coming back from work- it wasn’t pleasant’.

"A woman walking her dogs said she saw helicopters and the air ambulance. She said her thoughts were with the man who was attacked and hoped he would recover."