Teen arrested after religiously aggravated attack on gurdwara

A 17-year-old boy has appeared in court after an attack at a gurdwara in Gravesend.

Kent Police were called to the Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara at 8.10pm on Thursday 11 July.

A disturbance was reported inside and two women were injured in an assault outside the building just afterwards.

A local teenage boy was arrested and police recovered a bladed weapon. Police are treating the incident as religiously aggravated.

On Saturday 13 July, the teenager was arrested 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.

Later on Saturday, the teenager appeared before Maidstone Crown Court, where he was further charged with attempted grievous bodily harm. He was bailed by the court and was immediately detained by officers for a mental health assessment. He will next appear at Medway Youth Court on Thursday 18 July.

North Kent Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Angie Chapman, said: ‘This is an isolated incident and our initial enquiries 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.’

Security minister Dan Jarvis said: "I am being kept updated about the attack at Gravesend Gurdwara last night.

"All communities must be safe in their places of worship."