A mother has spoken of the nightmare moment her son turned up at home, white as a ghost and covered in blood, after being stabbed in the street.

Charlie Hider, from Great Easthall, was knifed in Oak Road in the Murston area of Sittingbourne shortly after 4pm on Friday, June 17 and airlifted to hospital.

He told KentOnline he was sat in a car with a friend listening to music, when he was attacked through an open window.

He was stabbed in the back of the head, the neck, his armpit, which was close to his chest and his hands before he could get away.

He added: "It all happened so quickly and my friend just kept driving.

"We got to my house, the end of the drive way, and I fell out the car shouting 'mum, mum I've been stabbed'."

He was rushed to King's College Hospital but he has since been released and is recovering at home.

His mother Lacey, a carer for Charlie's little brother, said: "They're the words every parent dreads: 'mum, I've been stabbed.'

"Charlie was walking up our driveway, white as a ghost, sweating profusely and terrified, he had blood all over him, just thinking back to it takes my breath away.

"I called 999 immediately and very quickly an ambulance arrived, followed by a critical care paramedic car and two police cars.

"I could hear a helicopter and a paramedic explained it was because he'd been stabbed and there was a risk of internal injuries and bleeding.

"They were particularly concerned about one of the stab wounds near his armpit as it looked deep and very close to the lung area.

"Fortunately he was so lucky, he had no major injuries, no internal bleeds.

"Physically, Charlie was very fortunate, but mentally and emotionally this has affected him massively."

Charlie was taking part in a security training course, but his mum now fears this career path may change as a result of the attack.

He said: "It all happened so quickly. I feel scared, not about anything in particular even, but the attack just makes me question everything and everyone, I feel like I can't trust anyone.

"I feel jumpy, drained, I can't sleep properly and just keep replaying it all in my mind.

"It also makes me nervous thinking about my little brothers and sister playing outside.

"If this can happen in broad daylight then literally anything could happen."

Lacey said the police were very supportive throughout her son's ordeal, but has appealed for young people to stop carrying knives.

She said: "I would tell anyone involved in knife crime, anyone who carries a knife and thinks about using it, don't.

"Please put it down and think again.

"If this can happen in broad daylight then literally anything could happen..."

"I was lucky, not everyone is and knife crime ruins lives - the victim's and the family's.

"Put the knives down."

Her plea comes as Swale cllr James Hall (Swale Independents), raised concerns over the area becoming increasingly lawless. He is calling for more police patrols.

He said: “I’m always complaining to the area’s crime unit, there is not only knife crime here but also arson, and recently an elderly gentleman was struck on the head with a rock.

“Crime has soared because of the pandemic and I am really disappointed because we’d got it down to a low level before lockdown.

“I can’t criticise the police as I know how much they are struggling with man-power. But I report crime in Murston almost weekly and not a lot happens as a result.

"Myself and the residents are fed up.”

According to the police crime map there were 29 violent and sexual offences recorded in Murston in March 2020. This year that figure was nearly double, at 52.

Last August officers introduced a dispersal order in Murston and Great Easthall and Co-op shop staff were given body cameras after gangs of yobs began tormenting the area.

However police say they do not believe the area is a crime hot-spot, and that the levels recorded there are not unusually high.

A spokesman said: "As with all towns officers provide a visible police presence and work alongside partner agencies to ensure that any issues, such as anti-social behaviour, are tackled and responded to appropriately."

Liam Lewis, 20, of Oak Road, has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following the reported stabbing.

He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 20, and was remanded to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on July 11.