A 17-year-old boy has been charged with a number of offences after an assault involving a bladed weapon at a Sikh place of worship in Kent, police mentioned.
Kent police had been known as to the Sri Guru Nanak Darbar gurdwara in Gravesend at 8.10pm on Thursday after stories of a disturbance contained in the premises and two girls being assaulted outdoors.
No person was critically injured and officers recovered a bladed weapon.
{The teenager} from Gravesend, who can’t be recognized due to his age, was charged on Saturday with assault occasioning precise bodily hurt, utilizing or threatening illegal violence, threats to kill, threatening an individual with a bladed weapon and possessing a bladed article in a public place.
He was remanded in custody and appeared at Maidstone crown court docket the place he was additional charged with tried grievous bodily hurt.
{The teenager} was bailed by the court docket and instantly detained by officers for a psychological well being evaluation. He’ll subsequent seem at Medway youth court docket on Thursday.
Ch Supt Angie Chapman mentioned: “That is an remoted incident and our preliminary inquiries recommend it isn’t terrorism-related. We’re treating it as religiously aggravated. It was upsetting for native individuals and our officers will stay on patrol within the space for reassurance and engagement with the group.
“I want to thank the local people for his or her ongoing help and help whereas this investigation continues.”
The gurdwara’s common secretary, Jagdev Singh Virdee, mentioned the incident had been a shock to the group.
“To have this type of incident taking place in a gurdwara is a shock to the entire group as a result of we’re welcoming of everyone and we like to stay in excessive spirits.”
He added: “Gurdwaras are open to everybody and we need to hold it that approach so we might be reviewing our safety to see how we are able to enhance it much more.”