Woman dies after being stabbed in car park in Kent

A woman has died after being stabbed outside a shopping centre car park in Kent.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said the victim died at the scene of the assault, which is believed to be domestic in nature, at the Dockside Shopping Outlet in Chatham.

"The woman, believed to be aged in her 20s, suffered injuries consistent with a stabbing and died at the scene," a spokesperson said.

"A 25-year-old man from Rochester was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

"The victim and suspect are believed to be known to each other."

Shocked onlookers said the suspect was “covered in blood” after the assault outside busy shops.

One man, Ash Tucker, said he arrived to see at least 10 police cars pulling into the car park and could hear shouting.

“It was there I saw the police officers arresting a man who looked late 20s, black hair and blood over his white vest top and his arms,” he added.

“I assumed he had been caught fighting, but a few people who had witness the whole thing told me he had stabbed a woman’s throat in her car.

“Another woman was adamant he had slit her throat.”

Kent Police did not confirm the exact nature of the victim's injuries.

Kelly Tolhurst, the local MP for Rochester and Strood, said she was “shocked and devastated by the horrific incident”.

Part of the Dockside Shopping Outlet has been sealed off as investigations continue at the scene, where forensics officer set up a tent around the woman's body.