Reading stabbing attack now being treated as 'terrorist incident'

• Video report by ITV News reporter Mark McQuillan

A stabbing attack in Reading, which left three people dead and three seriously injured, has now been declared a terrorist incident, police confirmed.

Police said a 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested at the scene on Saturday on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.

The man is understood to be named Khairi Saadallah, a Libyan asylum seeker.

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."

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."

The head of counter terrorism policing, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said there is nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in the Reading attack and police are not currently seeking anyone else as part of the investigation.

Mr Basu said: "This was an atrocity."

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."

“I also want to pay tribute to the bravery of members of the public who provided emergency first aid at the scene," Mr Basu added.

He said the motivation for "this horrific act is far from certain", however confirmed it was "not associated in any way with the Black Lives Matter protest which took place peacefully earlier on in the day."

Counter terrorism policing are now taking over the investigation, Thames Valley Police confirmed.

The attack took place at around 7pm in Forbury Gardens in the town centre.

At least two of the injured are being treated in the emergency department of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, a spokeswoman said.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said: “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.”

Chief Constable John Campbell of Thames Valley Police urged members of the public to share video footage with police and not on social media.

Personal trainer Lawrence Wort, 20, who said he was around 10 metres from the attack, said: “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.”

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.”

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.

“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. I would like to thank Thames Valley Police and the emergency services for their response.”

Mr Hunter urged people to continue to stay away from the area as police conduct their investigation.

Nieema Hassan, an organiser of a Black Lives Matter protest in Reading, posted on Facebook that demonstrators had dispersed by the time of the attack.

She added: “I have goosebumps knowing that this has happened only a few hours after we all peacefully came together today to talk about change and equality and it’s pretty heartbreaking that this day has been tarnished with violence.”