Police are increasing patrols around a town following four knife-related incidents in a week.

Officers will be out in Gillingham alongside specialist officers from dog, traffic, and firearms units.

It comes after a man is believed to have been assaulted outside Shakespeare Mini Mart just before 8pm.

Owner Mahesan Varaeharasapperumal said: “My staff told me someone ran into the shop and was asking for help saying another person outside had a knife.

“My staff member helped hold the door shut but the other man was pushing on it from the outside.

“There was blood everywhere and up the door. I cleaned it up after the police arrived. We had to clean everywhere.”

Police officers confirmed they were called to a report of an assault in Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, but there was no victim found when they arrived.

Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure the welfare of any potential victim.

No arrests have been made at this stage.

Mr Varaeharasapperumal said by the time officers arrived the victim had left the shop.

Nearby residents said they were only alerted to the incident when they saw blue, flashing lights but did not hear any sirens.

One said: “There was a police car outside, a few officers and someone else with a big camera. They were here for about an hour.”

This is the fourth knife-related incident to happen in Gillingham this week and comes after the force launched an initiative to crackdown on knife crime.

Last night, a man was stabbed around a mile away in Third Avenue and was rushed to hospital. Officers and forensics were still at the scene early this morning and were seen searching in bins and the surrounding streets.

Two teenagers have also been arrested for carrying offensive weapons at Gillingham Station on Railway Street at 5.23pm yesterday.

Earlier in the week, a teenager was stabbed in a playpark in Mill Road and had his coat and bag robbed.

North Kent divisional commander, chief superintendent Shaun White, said: ”Kent Police has a zero-tolerance policy for those who show a clear disregard for the safety of others by choosing to carry a weapon.

“We understand some recent incidents in Gillingham may have caused concern for residents however we are working quickly to identify and apprehend those involved.

“We are currently treating the recent knife-related crimes as isolated incidents and are continuing thorough investigations into all the circumstances.

“Members of the public can expect to see increased patrols in the area, and we are using all available officers and tactics to tackle violent offenders. This includes the deployment of specialist officers from dog, traffic, and firearms units.

“We are also continuing activity for Operation Sceptre, the national week-long campaign of intensified action against knife crime, an example of which is the extensive weapons search carried out in the area yesterday. Patrols are proactively pursuing arrests for identified offenders as well.”

Anyone with information about the recent incidents or knowledge of people carrying weapons, is asked to contact police via its website, or the Crimestoppers online form.