Start your Independent Premium subscription today. He said police were working with the coroner to formally identify the victims and praised the actions of unarmed Thames Valley Police officers who detained the suspect, calling them "incredibly brave.". Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. For more details of these cookies and how to disable them, see our cookie policy. ", Speaking in Downing Street, Mr Johnson said: "If there are lessons that we need to learn about how we handle such cases, how we handle the events leading up to such cases, then we learn those lessons and we will not hesitate to take action where necessary.". Thames Valley Police said a man had been arrested at the scene and was being held in custody. One eyewitness said the attack looked “completely random”. Home Secretary Priti Patel said in a statement: “This evening we saw a senseless attack on people simply enjoying a Saturday evening with family and friends. At least two of the injured are being treated in the emergency department of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, a spokeswoman said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is “appalled and sickened” by the suspected terror attack in Reading and his "thoughts are very much with the family and the friends of the victims today. The attack took place at around 7pm in Forbury Gardens in the town centre. Police man a road block near to Forbury Gardens in Reading town centre following a multiple stabbing attack in the gardens which took place at … Please stay clear of the town centre. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. The Independent understands that three people died at the scene. “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.”. Mr Hunter urged people to continue to stay away from the area as police conduct their investigation. Thames Valley Police said on Twitter: “We are aware of reports of an incident in Forbury Gardens, Reading. Armed police were seen entering a block of flats off the Basingstoke Road in Reading late on Saturday night. Armed police officers raid a block of flats in Reading following the incident, Three dead in suspected terror attack in Reading park. As of September 15, 2020 comments are unavailable, but don’t worry! “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. Home secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “Deeply concerned to hear reports of an incident in Reading. Watch for updates on the Microsoft News Blog. Return to normal: Normal traffic conditions are expected between 12:15 and 12:30 on 24 Sep 2020. A stabbing attack in Reading, which left three people dead and three seriously injured, has now been declared a terrorist incident, police confirmed. South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement: “Multiple ambulance resources were sent to the scene including, five ambulance crews, one specialist practitioner, three ambulance officers, our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), the helicopter and critical care response unit from Thames Valley Air Ambulance and the critical care unit from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, two ambulance doctors and our colleagues from London Ambulance Service.