A teenager accused of attacking two women at a place of worship has been detained for mental health assessment as police say they are not treating the incident as “terrorism-related”.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court today charged in connection with the incident at the Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend on Thursday night.

It was reported there was a disturbance inside the premises and that two women had received minor injuries following an assault outside the building shortly afterwards.

At 8.10pm, officers attended the scene, where a local teenage boy was arrested.

Nobody was seriously injured during the incident and police recovered a bladed weapon.

Earlier today, the suspect was charged by serious crime investigators with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, using or threatening unlawful violence, threats to kill, threatening a person with a bladed weapon and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

He later appeared before Maidstone Crown Court, where he was further charged with attempted grievous bodily harm.

He was bailed by the court and immediately detained by officers for a mental health assessment.

He will next appear at Medway Youth Court on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Angie Chapman said: “This is an isolated incident and our initial enquiries suggest it is not terrorism-related.

“We are treating it as religiously aggravated. It was upsetting for local people and our officers will remain on patrol in the area for reassurance and engagement with the community.

“I would like to thank the local community for their ongoing support and assistance while this investigation continues.”