A woman has been charged after allegedly threatening people at a hospital with a knife.

Police were called to Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital just before 1pm on Monday after reports of a disturbance.

Helen Calder, of Tonge Road in the town, was arrested and taken into custody after officers seized a blade from her.

The 45-year-old was later charged with threatening a person while possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

She was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court today.

Witnesses said the hospital had gone into lockdown as a result, with one person describing seeing four police vans at the site.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to the police is urged to contact the appeal line on 01795 419119, quoting reference 46/69256/25.

This isn’t the first time the police have been called to the town’s medical centre.

In May 2020 staff and patients at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital were on alert after receiving a message that a man was heading to the site and was armed.

In October 2020, a man with a knife was said to have been tasered by police in the grounds.

Again, the rest of the hospital was locked down, trapping staff and patients inside, while police were called to disarm him.

Two months later, in December 2020, the hospital was put on full lockdown due to a man armed with a screwdriver.

Reports say he threatened staff in the minor injuries department.