Boris Johnson says he is 'appalled and sickened' by Reading stabbing attacks

Prime Minister vows officials will not 'will not hesitate to take action' in amending Britain's legal system if there are 'lessons to be learned' over deadly incident
David Child21 June 2020

Boris Johnson has said he is "appalled and sickened" by a stabbing attack in Reading that left three people dead and three others seriously injured.

The attack on Saturday evening is now being treated as a terror attack.

The Prime Minister vowed on Sunday that officials will not "will not hesitate to take action” in amending Britain's legal system if there are "lessons to be learned" over Saturday's incident.

"I don’t want to pre-empt the work of the police and their investigation into what happened in this case," Mr Johnson said from Downing Street.

“But I just want to repeat, if there are lessons to be learned, if there are changes that need to be made to our legal system to stop such events happening again, we will not hesitate to take that action, as we have before you will recall , over the automatic early release of terrorist offenders."

Stabbings at Forbury Garden

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Mr Johnson spoke after holding a meeting with security officials, police and senior ministers over Saturday's attack, which took place at about 7pm in Forbury Gardens, in Reading's town centre.

The Prime Minister said Britons' thoughts were "very much with the family and the friends of the victims today” and praised police officers' handling of the incident.

“I’ve obviously talked to the chief constable at Thames Valley Police, thanked him and his officers for their bravery in tackling the suspect," Mr Johnson said.

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

The suspect is a Libyan asylum seeker and mental health is being considered a major factor in the incident, a security source told the Press Association news agency.

He is understood to be named Khairi Saadallah.

Investigators have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

Thames Valley Police said on Sunday morning the attack is now being treated as terrorism and that counter-terrorism police would now be taking over the investigation.

Chief Constable John Campbell, of Thames Valley Police, said: “Incidents of this nature are very rare, though I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and understand the concern that this incident will have caused amongst our local community.

“We will be working closely with our partners over the coming days and weeks to support the Reading community during this time, as well as with Counter-Terror Police South East (CTPSE) as they progress their investigation.”

Mr Campbell also asked the public to avoid the area and also to “avoid speculation” about the attack as he appealed for any video footage to be shared with police only.

“Out of respect for those deceased and injured, along with their loved ones, please do not circulate this footage on social media – this will be incredibly distressing," he said.

Police stand guard outside Forbury Gardens in Reading
PA

Footage of the aftermath of the attack in which the victims were receiving first aid appeared online on Saturday evening.

The head of counter terrorism policing, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu meanwhile said the motivation for the killings was “far from certain”.

Speaking in London, he said: “Although the motivation for this horrific act is far from certain, counter-terrorism policing have taken responsibility for leading the investigation.”

Mr Basu emphasised that the attack was not associated “in any way” with the Black Lives Matter protests that had taken place in the park earlier that day.

He said there was no evidence to suggest anyone attending crowded places is at risk, but asked people to “be alert, not alarmed, when you are in public”.

He also said counter-terror police would be working “around the clock” on the case, and thanked 41 witnesses who had come forward to assist with their inquiries.

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