Teenager charged with multiple offences after Kent gurdwara attack

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with multiple offences after an attack involving a bladed weapon at a Sikh place of worship in Kent, police said.

Kent police were called to the Sri Guru Nanak Darbar gurdwara in Gravesend at 8.10pm on Thursday after reports of a disturbance inside the premises and two women being assaulted outside.

Nobody was seriously injured and officers recovered a bladed weapon.

The teenager from Gravesend, who cannot be identified because of his age, was charged on Saturday 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.

He was remanded in custody and appeared at Maidstone crown court where he was further charged with attempted grievous bodily harm.

The teenager was bailed by the court and immediately detained by officers for a mental health assessment. He will next appear at Medway youth court on Thursday.

Ch Supt Angie Chapman said: “This is an isolated incident and our initial inquiries suggest it is not terrorism-related. We are treating it as religiously aggravated. It was upsetting for local people and our officers will remain on patrol in the area for reassurance and engagement with the community.

“I would like to thank the local community for their ongoing support and assistance while this investigation continues.”

The gurdwara’s general secretary, Jagdev Singh Virdee, said the incident had been a shock to the community.

“To have this sort of incident happening in a gurdwara is a shock to the whole community because we’re welcoming of everybody and we like to remain in high spirits.”

He added: “Gurdwaras are open to everyone and we want to keep it that way so we will be reviewing our security to see how we can improve it even more.”