A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman was stabbed at a beauty salon.

Officers were called to VCC Boutique in High Street, Tonbridge, at about 9.20am following reports that a woman in her forties had been critically injured.

KMTV reports on the case

The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment and her condition is stable.

Forensics are currently on the scene.

Wendy Nash who works in the Greggs opposite said she was working when police and paramedics suddenly appeared outside the nail bar.

She said: "There were four police cars, two ambulances and an emergency response car.

"A man and woman were both put in ambulances but I couldn't see any blood or anything.

"It is unusual for around here, definitely not something you see every day. It is a bit close for comfort."

Megan Walters works in Micallef Jewellers, directly opposite the nail bar.

The 16-year-old said: "I didn't hear anything or see what happened until an ambulance arrived. A woman was taken away, she was holding her neck a bit and I thought maybe she had just collapsed or something but then the police arrived so I knew it was more serious.

"A man was taken in another ambulance later and he was handcuffed and had bags over his hands too and was holding his hands up.

"This sort of thing doesn't really happen in Tonbridge."

Miss Walters' colleague added: "It's not the sort of thing you'd expect to see outside a nail bar."

A staff member at nearby Cash Converters said: "It is nice to know they have arrested someone already because after something like this people feel vulnerable and uneasy all of a sudden."

Tonbridge resident Tony Russell, 87, said: "I have lived in Tonbridge all my life and it is a very quiet place. We rarely see the police. It is shocking to hear what has gone on."

Jill Pring said "It's a popular nail bar and it's been here for years.

"The people who work there always seemed friendly, I've been there myself a couple of times.

"I always pop down into the high street at lunch time and just wouldn't expect this sort of thing - police and someone ending up in hospital - it's horrible, it's disgusting."

The first thing Ewan Fellows thought when he saw officers in white suits was that it was something to do with coronavirus.

The 19-year-old said: "I saw them all suited up and the first thing I thought was coronavirus because it's a big thing at the moment. But then I thought it could be anything really."

Living in Tonbridge all his life, Mr Fellows' was quite shocked to hear someone had been arrested for attempted murder.

He said: "You get other crime here - everywhere you go there's going to be crime - but not anything as serious as this really.

"It makes me more wary of course, in the way you've got to remember to watch out for yourself."

The man was arrested at the scene. Kent Police have asked people with any information about what happened to come forward.

Det Insp Garry Cook of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "We are currently making a number of enquiries and crime scene investigators are working at the scene. We have established that both parties are known to each other and if anyone has information about the incident please contact us."

Anybody with information that may assist the investigation should call Kent Police on 01622 604 100 crime reference quoting 11-279

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or completing the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

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