A Sikh worshipper, Avtar Singh, 44, said he and other worshippers “chased” the boy, who was brandishing two swords in the Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend on Thursday.
A 17-year-old boy from Gravesend was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a religiously aggravated public order offence, after police were called to the gurdwara at 8.10pm on Thursday.
Kent Police said a man went into the Sikh place of worship and tried to assault people there while armed with a bladed weapon.
He said: “When I went into the hall, the guy was sitting there on the Golak (money pot) – sitting there with the two Kirpans (swords) in his hands, nothing on his head and in an aggressive mood.
“I just went straight to him, tried to tackle him – he put a sword on to me as well, then I fell on the floor, then we hit him to try to hold him, he fell on the floor as well.
“Then he ran away around the other side, he ran around the other way, and we chased him all the way along to the Trinity School, and then two Indian lads stopped him there, held him, and by that time the police came.”
Kent Police’s Detective Superintendent Ian Dyball said: “We understand the community’s concerns in relation to the events at the gurdwara, however we are treating it as an isolated incident.
“Patrols will remain in the area for reassurance and we thank the community for their ongoing support and assistance.”
A statement posted on Facebook on behalf of the gurdwara’s management team said: “The Gurdwara is cooperating fully with Kent Police who are treating the incident very seriously, with the District Commander on site to support whilst the investigation is ongoing.
No-one was seriously injured but two women needed treatment for cuts and bruises, they said.
Lauren Sullivan, the MP for Gravesham, said: “I am shocked and saddened by the incident at the gurdwara in Gravesend.
“My thoughts are with those hurt, their family, and their community.”
Gravesham Borough Council leader John Burden paid tribute to police who “ran towards danger” to arrest the suspect and said to the Sikh community “we are here for them”.
Mr Burden said: “We have an incredibly close relationship with our Sikh community, who do so much to support all of our local residents and promote community cohesion.”
Security minister Dan Jarvis also tweeted that he was being updated about the attack, adding: “All communities must be safein their places of worship.”
