A 17-year-old boy has been arrested for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing two worshippers at a Gurudwara on Thursday night. A dramatic video showed police pinning the teenager to the ground and detaining him after the incident at a Gurdwara in Gravesend, Kent. Other footage showed injured worshippers outside the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, with cuts on their arms, hands, and wrists.
New Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had visited the same Gurdwara two weeks ago, meeting with leaders and discussing Labour’s partnerships with faith communities ahead of the general election.
Kent Police reported that two individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and confirmed they are not looking for any other suspects. A substantial police presence remained in Gravesend overnight, with multiple officers and an air ambulance at the scene.
A spokesman for Kent Police stated: “Kent Police was called at 8:10 pm on Thursday 11 July 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.”
A resident told Kent Online: “The police helicopter was circling over the town centre at around 8 pm. Shortly afterward, the air ambulance landed in the grounds of the Gurdwara. There were two ambulances and five police vehicles parked in Trinity Road, which was taped off by Holy Trinity primary school. A neighbour said that she’d heard two people had been stabbed inside the Gurdwara with a large knife.”
Dr. Lauren Sullivan, the Labour MP for Gravesham, expressed her shock and sadness: “I am shocked and saddened by the incident at the Gurdwara in Gravesend this evening. My thoughts are with those hurt, their family, and the community. I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to this awful event. Full details are still emerging, and it is right to let the emergency services deal with the situation, complete their investigation, and release information as they can.”
Tan Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough wrote on X: “Distressed to learn of stabbing attack at Gravesend Gurdwara, where I’ve worshipped on many occasions. Government must do more to tackle such anti-Sikh hate crimes, because Gurdwaras are supposed to be our peaceful place for prayer, refuge and reflection.”
New Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had visited the same Gurdwara two weeks ago, meeting with leaders and discussing Labour’s partnerships with faith communities ahead of the general election.
Kent Police reported that two individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and confirmed they are not looking for any other suspects. A substantial police presence remained in Gravesend overnight, with multiple officers and an air ambulance at the scene.
A spokesman for Kent Police stated: “Kent Police was called at 8:10 pm on Thursday 11 July 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.”
A resident told Kent Online: “The police helicopter was circling over the town centre at around 8 pm. Shortly afterward, the air ambulance landed in the grounds of the Gurdwara. There were two ambulances and five police vehicles parked in Trinity Road, which was taped off by Holy Trinity primary school. A neighbour said that she’d heard two people had been stabbed inside the Gurdwara with a large knife.”
Dr. Lauren Sullivan, the Labour MP for Gravesham, expressed her shock and sadness: “I am shocked and saddened by the incident at the Gurdwara in Gravesend this evening. My thoughts are with those hurt, their family, and the community. I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to this awful event. Full details are still emerging, and it is right to let the emergency services deal with the situation, complete their investigation, and release information as they can.”
Tan Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough wrote on X: “Distressed to learn of stabbing attack at Gravesend Gurdwara, where I’ve worshipped on many occasions. Government must do more to tackle such anti-Sikh hate crimes, because Gurdwaras are supposed to be our peaceful place for prayer, refuge and reflection.”
In recent years, hate crimes against Sikhs in the UK have seen a noticeable rise. According to reports, there were over 200 hate crimes against Sikhs in 2022, a significant increase from previous years.