A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after two women were injured in an attack with a “bladed weapon” at a UK gurdwara. Investigators from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate charged the boy, who cannot be named due to his age, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, using or threatening unlawful violence, threats to kill, threatening a person with a bladed weapon and possessing a bladed article in a public place. The incident occurred at Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend, south-east England, on Thursday evening.
The gurdwara, one of the largest outside India, confirmed that the ‘Guru Granth Sahib Ji’ was not present in the Darbar Hall at the time of the incident and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Local reports indicate that the boy, who was living with a Sikh family in the area, was suffering from mental health issues and has been remanded in custody to appear before Maidstone Crown Court.
Authorities are treating the incident as isolated and have increased patrols in the area for reassurance. “We understand local people’s concerns about this incident which we are treating as isolated. Our patrols will remain in the area for reassurance and we would like to thank the community for their continued support and assistance,” said Chief Superintendent Angie Chapman, North Kent Divisional Commander.
The attack took place inside the gurdwara premises, with the two women being assaulted outside shortly afterwards. “Officers attended the scene where a local teenage boy was arrested. Nobody was seriously injured during the incident and the constables recovered a bladed weapon,” the police added.
The incident has sparked concerns about anti-Sikh hate crimes, with UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis expressing concern and stating that “All communities must be safe in their places of worship.” Tan Dhesi, a British Sikh MP, echoed these sentiments, adding that “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.”
The gurdwara’s management team reported that the suspect was spotted by their security team and police were called immediately. “A person has been arrested by Kent Police on suspicion of attempted murder, after entering the gurdwara and creating an incident in one of the Darbar Halls. We can confirm that the incident happened after Sukhasan and ‘Guru Granth Sahib Ji’ was not present in the Darbar Hall,” reads the gurdwara’s statement. “The gurdwara is cooperating fully with Kent Police who are treating the incident very seriously, with the District Commander on site to support whilst the investigation is ongoing,” the statement adds.
The gurdwara, which opened its doors to the congregation in November 2010, was built at a cost of GBP 15 million using hand-crafted marble and stonework. It is a well-known place of worship in Kent and offers regular “langar seva” for the local community.
