Reading stabbings – Hero officer spotted suspect running with knife and ‘rugby tackled him to the ground’

: “A man pulled a knife and started attacking people at random in Reading, near the Crown Court.

“It is thought there was one attacker who has surrendered to police.

"It appears the attack was stopped when a lone sergeant, who responded when the alarm was raised, ran to the scene, saw the attacker running away with a knife and rugby tackled him to the ground.”

It appears the attack was stopped when a lone sergeant, who responded when the alarm was raised, ran to the scene, saw the attacker running away with a knife and rugby tackled him to the ground.

 

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."

 

At least two people are being treated for knife wounds in hospital.

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.

“We were assessing and treating a number of casualties who had sustained injuries as a result of the incident. Thank you to all those people who stopped and helped those who were injured as a result of this situation.”

One eyewitness, who said he was around 10 metres from the scene, said the attack looked "completely random".

PM SAYS THOUGHTS ARE WITH VICTIMS OF 'APALLING INCIDENT'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts are with those who have been affected by the "appalling incident".

He said on Twitter: "My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene."

Councillor Jason Brock, leader of Reading Council, also took to social media to share his thoughts on the attack.

He said: "Concerning reports from Reading town centre - please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.

Here is what we know so far about the stabbing incident in Reading:

• A number of people were stabbed by a man in Forbury Gardens in Reading's town centre around 7pm on Saturday night.
• Thames Valley Police (TVP) said a man was arrested at the scene and taken into police custody.
• The source added the man who was arrested is Libyan.
• Lawrence Wort, 20, who said he was around 10 metres from the attack, said the attacker "shouted unintelligible words" before the attack
• South Central Ambulance Service said five ambulance crews as well as two air ambulance services were among the resources sent to treat the casualties.
• TVP added there was no indication that the incident was linked to a Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Reading earlier in the day.

Home Secretary Priti 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."