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Police swarmed Dockside centre, in Chatham, after receiving reports of the horrific incident on Thursday morning. Eyewitnesses claim to have seen a man in a white vest ‘covered in blood’ who was handcuffed and bundled into a police car after the heroic efforts of other shoppers. An eyewitness, Michelle Hextall, told Express.co.uk how the woman - covered in blood - was honking the horn in a desperate bid to get attention. She said: "The woman was screaming and bibbing the horn to get attention.

LNP•Michelle Hextall The area has been cordoned off and there are reports of at least 10 police cars at the scene

"Another shopper blocked the car in so he couldn't escape. "She did not manage to get out of the car." Sickening photos from the scene show a Peugeot 107 covered in blood with bloody handprints on the door.

Steve Finn A 25-year-old man from the Medway area was arrested

Forensic teams are scouring the area around a black car, which has been left with its doors open. Shaken by the incident, Ms Hextall added: "Attacker was then put into police van. Didn't appear to resist arrest. "The attacker is leaning on the bonnet of police car in front.

Shocked & devastated by the horrific incident at Dockside - police in attendance and investigating — Kelly Tolhurst (@KellyTolhurst) June 29, 2017

“His hands were covered in blood up to his elbows. Blood on t-shirt.” Another witness, Ash Tucker, posted on Facebook: "Just pulling into Dockside Chatham, 10 police cars race past with flashing lights, as I've locked the door I hear shouting and commotion. "The next bay opposite to me there's a man covered in blood being restrained by officers.

Kent shopping centre on lockdown latest images Thu, June 29, 2017 Chatham shopping centre on lockdown after 'man slit woman's throat in carpark' Play slideshow Steve Finn Photography 1 of 8 Emergency services at the Dockside Outlet shopping centre in Chatham

"He's cut a lady's throat as she sits in her car and he doesn't even look phased." Rosie Bell, 25, is quoted saying: “Apparently a woman had been locked in her car by the guy. “He’s then come back to the car, got in the car and stabbed her and then slit her throat. “No-one could actually see the row that was happening because it was happening inside the car.

“Someone heard the woman screaming and people were running over shouting at the guy. “He was in a bit of state so people didn’t want to approach him.” The local MP, Kelly Tolhurst, said she was ’shocked’ by the incident. The MP for Rochester and Strood tweeted: “Shocked & devastated by the horrific incident at Dockside - police in attendance and investigating.”

Michelle Hextall a shopping centre in Kent has been out in lockdown

It is thought the attacker locked the victim in car, close to the Odeon cinema. The cinema is reportedly laying on refreshments for people who are unable to leave the area as their cars are inside the police cordon. Anthony Sutton, manager of Dockside Outlet Centre, said: "The man is in custody and we are liaising with and assisting the police to minimise disruption."

@michellehextall Police swarmed Dockside centre, in Chatham

The incident is believed to be domestic. A police spokesman said: “Kent Police is currently attending the dockside area, Maritime Way in Chatham following a report of a serious assault. “Officers were called at 11.03am on Thursday 29 June 2017 following reports a woman had been injured.

Steve Finn Sickening photos from the scene show a Peugeot 107 covered in blood

“A man has been arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. “Officers do not believe there to be any further threat to the public. “Officers remain at the scene carrying out enquiries.”

Steve Finn It is thought the attacker locked the victim in car