Three people have died and another three have been seriously injured after multiple stabbings in Reading town centre.
A 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.
Here is what we know so far about the incident.The attackThe attack took place at around 7pm on Saturday night in Forbury Gardens in Reading’s town centre.
Three people have died and another three are seriously injured.
South Central Ambulance Service said five ambulance crews and two air ambulance services were among the resources sent to treat the casualties.
A
police spokesperson told PA news agency at least two casualties are being treated in the emergency department of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Thames Valley Police have launched a murder investigation.Lawrence Wort, 20, who said he was around 10 metres from the attack, said the attacker “shouted unintelligible words” before attacking multiple groups of people.
He told PA: “The park was pretty full, a lot of people sat around drinking with
Friends, when one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them.
“He stabbed three of them, severely in the neck, and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running.
“When he realised that he couldn’t catch us, he tried to stab another group sat down, he got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out the park.”The suspectPolice said a 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter, Head of Crime, said: “The Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit has launched a murder investigation following this incident.
“We have made one arrest and at this stage we are not looking for any other people in connection with this incident.“There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public, however we urge people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious by calling police.
Security sources have told the BBC the man arrested at the scene is thought to be a Libyan national and has previously been in
prison in the
UK for a relatively minor conviction, and not a terrorism offence.The motiveAlthough the attack was initially suspected to be terror-related, officers later said it was not being treated as such and are keeping an “open mind” as to the motivation for the incident.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said: “This is not currently being treated as a terrorism incident, however officers are keeping an open mind as to the motivation for the incident and are being supported by colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing South East.”*UPDATE*We have launched a murder investigation following the deaths of three people in Reading yesterday after an incident in Forbury Gardens.A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.More details: https://t.co/U9GDMkyTP7pic.twitter.com/Rfb0Iwz2Pk— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) June 21, 2020The reactionPrime minister
Boris Johnson tweeted: “My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene.”
Home secretary Priti Patel called attack “senseless”, adding: “My heart, prayers and thoughts are with all of those affected and to the people of Reading who will be deeply shocked and concerned by this terrible incident.
“I am in contact with the police and will ensure they have all the support they need.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the stabbing was “very concerning”.
Police have urged people to stay away from the area as the investigation continues.
They have also asked anyone with mobile phone footage of the attack to come forward and people have been urged not to share videos and photos online “out of respect for the victims’ families”.
They added the incident was not connected to a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest that took place earlier in the day in the park. Related... Three People Killed In Reading Knife Attack