Fears several people are killed in mass stabbing attack in Reading park two hours after Black Lives Matter protest took place as Home Secretary Priti Patel says she is ‘deeply concerned’ by incident
- Incident took place in Forbury Gardens in Reading’s town centre on Saturday
- Video posted on social media showed four wounded people lying on grass
- They were being treated and one seen being given CPR by police officers
- Two air ambulances and several police cars have responded to the incident
There are fears that several people have died in a mass stabbing at a Reading park, two hours after a Black Lives Matter protest took place.
The ‘serious incident’ took place in Forbury Gardens in Reading’s town centre.
A distressing video posted on social media showed four wounded people lying on grass as officers gave them CPR.
Two air ambulances and several police cars have responded to the incident.
Forbury Gardens is the site of a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest which took place earlier on Saturday but ended two hours before the stabbings.
There is no suggestion the incident is linked to the protest.
A source told the Telegraph that three people had been declared dead at the scene.
Two others have been taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where they are reportedly being resuscitated.
Police are said to be treating the incident as a random attack and are not yet sure who is responsible. A spokesman on Twitter confirmed they are investigating the attack.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was ‘deeply concerned’ following the reports.
There are fears that several people have died in a mass stabbing in Forbury Gardens, Reading, two hours after a Black Lives Matter protest took place
A distressing video posted on social media showed four wounded people lying on grass as officers gave them CPR. The officers were seen running towards the people on the ground
‘My thoughts are with everyone involved, including police and emergency responders at the scene,’ she added.
It is understood Ms Patel is being kept updated on the situation.
Freelance journalist Claire Gould, 33, who lives near the scene, said she saw the air ambulances land on the nearby Kings Meadow as a police helicopter circled overhead.
She described hearing lots of sirens and said surrounding roads and a retail park had been cordoned off by officers.
Ms Patel tweeted: ‘Deeply concerned to hear reports of an incident in Reading.
‘My thoughts are with everyone involved, including police and emergency responders at the scene.’
Thames Valley Police said on Twitter: ‘We are aware of reports of an incident in Forbury Gardens, Reading.
‘Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident.’
The ‘serious incident’ took place in Forbury Gardens in Reading’s town centre
Two air ambulances and several police cars have responded to the incident
The leader of Reading Council, Jason Brock, urged people to stay away from the town centre.
He tweeted: ‘Concerning reports from Reading town centre – please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.’
More to follow.
A distressing video posted on social media showed four wounded people on the ground surrounded by officers in Forbury Gardens in Reading’s town centre