Stabbings in Reading After Hours

[Franco Pinion]

At least two people have been stabbed in what is believed to have been a terror-related incident in Reading.

A source has told Sky News' home affairs correspondent Mark White that early indications are that the incident was terrorism.

One person has been arrested and two people have been rushed to Royal Berkshire Hospital with stab wounds, Sky News has confirmed.

Thames Valley Police said: "Police attended at around 7pm along with other emergency services. Officers arrested a man at the scene who is now in police custody.

"A number of people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

"A police cordon is in place in Forbury Gardens as officers investigate. We are asking the public to avoid the area at this time."

Local media are reporting armed police are on the scene.

Prime 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."

A peaceful Black Lives Matter protest took place at the park earlier today.

BLM organisers said the violence was not connected to the protest.

Nieema Hassan said in a video message posted to Facebook: "They were very peaceful and we worked with the police liaison.

"In terms of the protest and the people who attended from Black Lives Matter, we're all safe. None of us are affected. We had all left by the time this happened."

Aside from The Telegraph no one is reporting deaths. Two quite clearly fighting for their life. Earlier reports said 15 stabbed and 3 dead. Hopefully not.

 

[Jess]

Truly awful, what a world we live in.

Sky just said that a Libyan man was arrested according to news sources.

 

[Janey]

Three people are confirmed dead.

Unconfirmed if it is terror-related or not. Many reports are now saying it isn't being treated as an act of terrorism but police are keeping an open mind on the motive. Either way, it is still, of course, a horrific thing to happen and an awful way to die.

 

[Gemma]

Terrible news. Police have now said they are treating it as an act of terrorism.

 

[Son Of Jack]

Tragic news indeed

The suspect has been named.

The man arrested on suspicion of murdering three people in the Reading knife attack is Khairi Saadallah, a 25-year-old Libyan refugee, the Telegraph can reveal. It is now being treated as a terrorist incident

 

[Gemma]

Man suspected of Reading attack came to MI5's attention in 2019 but no immediate risk identified and no case opened, security sources tell BBC

A lot of the time we learn that they were known to the authorities but sadly nothing is ever done about it until it is too late.

 

[Cherub]

Beyond awful, thoughts with the families and loved ones of those killed, the people who have had to witness something so evil, and those injured.

 

[Geezer]

A lot of the time we learn that they were known to the authorities but sadly nothing is ever done about it until it is too late.

This is becoming a pattern. Have they had their funding cut in the past 10 years, by any chance?