Soldier Attacked in KentSoldier Attacked in Kent A 40-year-old soldier was seriously injured in an attack in Kent, southeast London, on Tuesday evening. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment, the British military said. Witnesses reported that the attacker was wearing a balaclava and riding a moped. They said the attacker rode up on the moped, attacked the soldier, and then fled. Within half an hour, a 24-year-old man was arrested, police said. The road where the attack took place is close to Brompton Barracks, the headquarters of the British Army’s 1st Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment. On Wednesday morning, both ends of the tree-lined road were cordoned off with police cars and crime scenes. The military has not confirmed media reports that the soldier was wearing a uniform at the time of the attack. Attacks on soldiers are rare in Britain. In 2013, two men inspired by al-Qaeda killed soldier Lee Rigby on a London street, running him over with a car and then stabbing him to death. Reaction Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock and dismay over the attack. “All our thoughts are with the soldier, his family and our Armed Forces community, who are keeping us all safe,” he said. “I wish him a speedy recovery.” Defense Secretary John Healey also called the attack “shocking.” Investigation The police are investigating the attack. The motive for the attack is not yet known.
The victim, a 40-year-old, was seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment, the British military said.
There was no talk of a motive yet.
I am shocked and devastated to hear that a soldier has been attacked in Kent. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) All our thoughts are with the soldier, his family and our armed forces community who are keeping us all safe. I wish him a speedy recovery.July 24, 2024
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was “shocked and dismayed”, writing on X: “All our thoughts are with the soldier, his family and our Armed Forces community, who are keeping us all safe. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Defense Secretary John Healey also called the attack “shocking.”
On Tuesday evening, officers were called to a report of an attack in the town of Gillingham, southeast London.
Witnesses said an attacker wearing a balaclava rode up on a moped, attacked the soldier and then fled.
Within half an hour, a 24-year-old man was arrested, police said.
The road where police say the attack took place is close to Brompton Barracks, the headquarters of the British Army’s 1st Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.
On Wednesday morning, both ends of the tree-lined road were cordoned off with police cars and crime scenes.
The military has not confirmed media reports that the soldier was wearing a uniform at the time of the attack.
Attacks on soldiers are rare in Britain.
In 2013, two men inspired by al-Qaeda killed soldier Lee Rigby on a London street, running him over with a car and then stabbing him to death.
