A community is in shock after the terrifying stabbing of a uniformed soldier near an Army barracks.

The victim, a man in his 40s, remains in a serious but stable condition as a huge police presence remains in part of the county today.

Sir Keir Starmer, appearing at his first Prime Minister's Questions, opened by saying: "I know the whole house will be shocked by the news that a soldier has been attacked in Kent.

"Our thoughts are with him, his family and our Armed Forces who serve to keep us safe and we wish him a swift recovery."

Armed police, forensics and other officers were called to Sally Port Gardens near Brompton Barracks, Gillingham, at about 6pm last night after reports of the attack flooded in.

A 24-year-old man, who was seen riding a red moped, was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.

The soldier suffered injuries consistent with stab wounds and was taken to hospital for treatment, where his condition is currently described as serious but stable.

A heavy police presence remains in the area this evening as officers continue their investigations.

Officers say they have been “supported throughout by Counter Terrorism Policing South East”, but said earlier they did not believe it to be terror related.

KentOnline understands the victim was living in military accommodation in the street.

An image shows a moped rider – dressed in a Nasa jacket and a balaclava – who is believed to be the attacker.

A witness described seeing a man pull up on a moped before attacking the soldier.

“The attacker was going for him and stabbed him about 12 times," he said.

“This was with two kitchen knives, about nine to 10 inches long, and there were about seven of us there who witnessed it.

“The soldier was in uniform.

“He works at the barracks, lives in Sally Port Gardens and was walking home.

“His wife tried to pull the attacker off. [The attacker] didn’t want her though, he just wanted the soldier.

“Nobody else in the vicinity was in danger - the only person he was targeting was the soldier he attacked."

The witness says the attacker then rode off on the moped.

An air ambulance was called to the nearby Great Lines Heritage Park at about 6.30pm.

Forensic officers were called to the area and a police helicopter was also seen circling overhead.

This evening, the road remains cordoned off and there is a heightened police presence.

In a statement, the force said: “We were called to a report of a serious assault in Sally Port Gardens, Brompton.

“A man in his 40s suffered injuries consistent with stab wounds and was taken to hospital for treatment. His condition is currently described as serious.

“Officers attended and at about 6.20pm they arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.

He remains in custody today (July 24).

British Army personnel living near the scene of the attack said the victim is a "very nice guy".

A man living just down the road who gave his rank as sergeant described the attacked soldier as "friendly".

He said: "He's a very nice guy, very friendly, but I don't work closely with him. I'm not too sure if he has any children."

A local man walking past the crime scene said residents now feel "unsafe" in Gillingham.

"Everyone feels unsafe around here," he said. “Someone's just been stabbed - how can anyone feel safe?

"People are s*** scared... We're matching London here now. The police have to do more. Nobody is scared of them anymore."

Another local added: "It's a shame. You don't expect anything like this around here."

Adam Wells, who lives near to the scene, agreed that Gillingham was becoming unsafe.

The 31-year-old said: "Honestly, it's so bad in Gillingham now.

"I am worried for my little girl. Not that long ago someone was [allegedly] raped. Things like that - and this - worry me."

The attack has “knocked the whole community for six,” according to ex-sapper and St Mary’s Island resident Steve Craddock.

The former Royal Engineer, 66, who has raised thousands of pounds for the Help the Heroes charity, said: “Whether it's terrorism-related or not, people will be frightened.

"Soldiers will soldier on - that's their job. But for their wives and families, it brings it closer to home. The whole thing is terrifying.

Just after 6pm, police cordoned off part of Mooring Road in Rochester - about a 10-minute drive from Sally Port Gardens.

Cordons have been set up at both the scene of the incident and the scene of the arrest, and a number of knives have been seized.

Philip Tolhurst, of Rock Avenue, said: "We went to turn into the road and there were soldiers, police, a joint response unit, and an ambulance. I told my son to find my wife and that we had to go home.

"I know we live in Gillingham and a lot of people say it's not particularly very nice, but it's not that bad an area and it is a bit shocking for it to happen on your door step. I hope the soldier makes a recovery.

"I don't know if he was targeted because he was in a uniform, but it could've happened to anyone. I was in the area, it could've happened to me or anyone. It's a terrible tragedy I think."

Tony Gynne added: "I'm disgusted by what's happened, especially on our doorstep. You don't expect that sort of thing. I hope he's okay and give my family his best wishes."

Another witness, who lives near the Brompton Medical Centre that is close to the scene, described the officer’s wife asking for medical help.

She said she heard the woman say: “My husband has been stabbed – is there a first aider?”

One woman living near the scene said she was sitting down to dinner with her family when they heard a “huge scream”.

“It’s very, very scary,” she said.

Acting Chief Superintendent, Richard Woolley said: “We are keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind this incident and we are exploring a number of lines of inquiry – these include the possibility this incident was mental health-related as well as any links the suspect may have with the location of the assault.

“The investigation has been supported throughout by Counter Terrorism Policing South East as we work to establish the full circumstances.

“Kent Police officers will continue to be on patrol in the area to offer reassurance to members of the public and are more than happy to speak with anyone who is upset or concerned about what has happened.

“It remains the case that we do not currently believe anyone else was involved and there is no further information at this time to suggest any wider threats to the local community, including members of the armed forces.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim, his family and those who witnessed the incident at this difficult time.”

This morning, a father who lives a few doors down from the cordon said: “All I heard was a recovery vehicle taking the motorbike away at 2am.

“When I saw the cordon I thought it must be to do with what happened in Gillingham. I’ve got two daughters so it’s a real worry.”

Another man said he didn’t realise the police had been outside his home until he looked outside. He added: “I heard someone’s moped was taken off the street.”

Officers were seen examining a moped and a bike helmet in the street.

Defence Secretary John Healey said he was shocked to hear of yesterday’s attack.

“My thoughts are with the soldier and his family, who deserve privacy at this difficult time,” he said in a post on X this morning.

“On behalf of the government, I wish him a swift recovery.”

Medway Council leader Cllr Vince Maple, says his thoughts are with the victim and his family.

“Our armed forces personnel and their families are a valued part of our Medway community.

“It is good to see increased patrols at this time by Kent Police for community reassurance.

“I would encourage anyone who has information that may assist the police with their enquiries to please come forward.”

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, says he is “deeply saddened” by the “horrific” and “unprovoked attack” on an army officer.

Rochester MP Lauren Edwards also spoke of her shock, saying she was “horrified” by the attack.

She told KentOnline: "I was obviously horrified when I heard about it. My thoughts were very quickly with the victim and his family and the armed forces community we have in Brompton who are incredibly supportive and will be rallying around the family today.

"Police have told me they're considering it as an isolated event. They're doing enhanced patrols in the area as we know people are concerned and that visible police presence will hopefully be very reassuring for them.

"Senior police will be visiting this afternoon and I hope to be with them as well. We're just trying to reassure everybody and pull together to support the community."

"I hope to be visiting the barracks with the police later to meet with them and the community and reassure them that everything is being done to investigate what's gone on here.

Meanwhile, Gillingham MP Naushabah Khan says she is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the incident.

“My thoughts are with the individual and his family at this time,” she said.

“The armed forces and their families are a valued and important part of the Medway Family and serve to keep us safe.

“This incident will undoubtedly concern the community and the support of Kent Police is very welcome at this time.

“If anyone has information that may assist the police with their inquiries, please come forward.”

Other residents have expressed their shock this morning.

An elderly woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I saw the police there this morning and they told me someone had been stabbed.

“It is really scary as I live just round the corner”

Sue Stewart, who lives in Dock Road, said: “I read about it on the news last night, it’s just awful. I hope he’ll be okay as that’s the main thing.”

A mum, who did not want to be named, said: “It has left us absolutely terrified. We have young children so for this to have happened here is absolutely disgusting.

“We don’t even want to leave the house.”

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

“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 police to understand what happened and support the investigation.

“Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any relevant information should contact Kent Police.”