A KNIFEMAN murdered his lover by slashing her throat in a shopping centre car park, witnesses said.

The woman, in her 20s, screamed and honked a car horn in a desperate cry for help after a man reportedly slit her throat.

9 Forensics examine the scene where a woman was allegedly attacked with a knife Credit: WENN

9 Firefighters have screened off the scene of the 'serious assault' in Kent Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

9 Forensic teams on the scene in Kent today after a woman's throat was reportedly slit Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

9 Witnesses on social media reported that the woman had been locked in a car and attacked

The Dockside Centre in Chatham, Kent, was on lockdown following the horror scenes, which reportedly ended as police arrested a man covered in blood.

Witnesses told Kent Online they heard people shouting before a man wearing a white vest and "covered in blood" was handcuffed and put in a police car.

It has been suggested the attacker locked the woman in a Citreon C1 close to an Odeon cinema before attacking her, in what is thought to be a domestic incident.

Pictures from the scene showed about 10 police cars swarming on the area as cops arrested a 25-year-old man from the Medway area.

Police said the victim and suspect are believed to be known to each other.

Eyewitness, Michelle Hextall, told Express.co.uk: "The woman was screaming and bibbing the horn to get attention.

"Another shopper blocked the car in so he couldn't escape.

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"Attacker was then put into police van. Didn't appear to resist arrest."

Michelle added: "I'm a bit shaken by what I've just seen. The attacker was leaning on the bonnet of police car in front. His hands were covered in blood up to his elbows. Blood on T-shirt."

Police have confirmed that the woman suffered injuries "consistent with a stabbing and died at the scene".

Another witness 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.

"He's cut a lady's throat as she sits in her car and he doesn't even look phased."

Rosie Bell, 25, was arriving at the centre when the horrific incident unfolded.

She said: "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."

9 A large police presence remains in the car park hours after the attack Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

9 Emergency crews were called to the scene as horror unfolded at 11am today Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

9 The attack is believed to be a domestic dispute Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Police has earlier 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.

"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."

Police have confirmed the incident is not terror related.

9 Police have cordoned off Dockside shopping centre in Chatham Credit: Twitter/Michelle Hextall

9 Police cars around the shopping centre, which has been placed on lockdown Credit: Twitter/StevieClark95

Four ambulances and an air ambulance was also sent to the scene.

A green tent was set up in the area with firefighters also putting up screens as emergency services worked.

Police have told people that part of the area will be on lockdown for several hours, with about 50 cars inside the cordon.

The nearby Odeon cinema is laying on refreshments for people stranded by the incident.

Anthony Sutton, manager of Dockside Outlet Centre, said there had been an isolated incident involving a man and a woman.

He said: "The man is in custody and we are liaising with and assisting the police to minimise disruption."

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