British serviceman fights for life after masked man 'looking for a soldier to attack' launches frenzied knife attack outside barracks: Police hold suspect, 24, 'who LICKED victim's blood' for attempted murder in horrific echo of Lee Rigby tragedy

A British soldier has been rushed to hospital by air ambulance after a 'serious stabbing' close to an army barracks this evening.

The man, who is in his 40s, was found seriously injured less than 200 metres from Brompton Barracks in Chatham, Kent, at around 6pm.

A horrified witness said the attacker, hidden by a ski mask and in a NASA bomber jacket, leapt off a moped and ran towards the uniformed soldier.

The serviceman managed to get away but was chased down and attacked once more by the assailant who was brandishing two kitchen knifes, the onlooker claimed.

It is claimed moments later the knifeman held up one of the bloodied weapons and licked it in front of terrified locals who had rushed out of their homes to help the serviceman.

It brings back horrific memories of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby who was hacked to death and his body was dragged into the road in an Islamic terrorist attack. 

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were arrested and later found guilty of his murder. Police have not yet ruled out terror as a motive for today's attack.

A witness claimed: 'Blood was everywhere as I tried to apply pressure to his wounds until the police arrived.

'The guy was looking for a soldier to attack.

Did you see what happened? Email matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk 

'When the guy's wife came out and started trying to pull the guy off he didn't even try to hurt her. He only had his sights set on hurting a British soldier,' he added to The Sun.

The Mail understands the wounded officer was walking alone from the barracks and was wearing his uniformed at the time when the attack took place in broad daylight.

The motive is unknown, but police have confirmed a 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Horrified onlookers had been alerted to the attack after hearing screams on Sally Port Gardens, a quiet residential street that is believed to be home to some military families.

Photos of the alleged attacker stood next to a red moped appear to show him wearing a ski mask and a bomber jacket with the NASA logo on it.

A witness told The Sun that the solder, who is in a serious condition in hospital, received injuries to his face and the rest of his body.

Photos posted on social media show a heavy emergency services presence, with police vehicles and officers in forensics gear working behind a cordon.

An air ambulance was seen landing in Great Lines Heritage Park, which lies next to the scene of the incident.

Brompton Barracks is the home of the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment. Many of its soldiers live adjacent to the base in army families accommodation.

It is claimed that following the attack soldiers at the Army base were forbidden from leaving until police ensured there was no further threat to personnel.

The Ministry of Defence said: 'We are aware of an emerging incident in the Chatham area which may have involved a soldier.

'As the circumstances are currently under investigation by Kent Police, we cannot comment further.'

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: 'Kent Police was called at around 5.55pm on Tuesday 23 July 2024 to a report of a serious assault in Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham.

'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 around 6.20pm they arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.

'A cordon is currently in place around the scene of the incident and enquiries to establish the circumstances are ongoing.

'Residents are advised to expect an ongoing police presence in the area.'

MailOnline has contacted South East Coast Ambulance Service for further information.