Latest news with #Thames Valley Police
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Four more arrests after suspected knife attack in Reading
A further four men have been arrested over a suspected knife attack that left three people in hospital. A man in his late teens and two others in their 20s and 30s were injured during the incident in St Mary's Butts, Reading, at about 03:25 BST on Sunday. They have all since left arrested a 34-year-old man from the town on suspicion of attempted murder on Sunday. In a new statement released earlier, Thames Valley Police said it had arrested four more men from Reading - aged 27, 28, 34 and 37 - on suspicion of the same offence. A scene watch in St Mary's Butts has now been removed. Det Insp Beverley Pearse said officers were investigating the incident as a "top priority"."We are still appealing for help from the public as we believe there may have been numerous witnesses to the incident, including those with mobile phone footage of it and/or the aftermath," the detective said. "So please send any footage or photos to us instead of sharing on social media." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Attempted murder arrest after three people injured in Reading
A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after three people were seriously injured in a suspected knife attack in Reading, police have Valley Police said a man in his late teens and two other men, aged in their 20s and 30s, were taken to hospital with "serious injuries, thought to be caused by a knife" after the incident in St Mary's Butts at about 03:25 teenager has since been discharged and the arrested man remains in police custody, said the Sally Russell said: "We know this attempted murder will cause concern but we are investigating it as a high priority." She said a large scene-watch was in place on Sunday, with an increased police presence in the St Mary's Butts area of the Berkshire town while officers and staff carried out enquiries. Insp Russell asked anyone with relevant information to contact the force, adding: "We believe there may have been numerous witnesses to the incident, including those with mobile phone footage of it and/or the aftermath." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ninja sword ban will 'impact limited number of situations', warns crime commissioner
A new ban on ninja swords 'will only have an impact in a limited number of situations', Thames Valley's police boss has warned. Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber has criticised the decision to ban ninja swords as he says most weapons used are 'normal household knives'. It comes after the Home Office introduced new legislation which came into force at the start of this month, meaning it is now illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell ninja swords in England and Wales. Anyone caught in possession of this kind of weapon in private could face six months in prison, to be increased to two years under the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill. READ MORE: Footballer drowned after getting into difficulty in River Thames, inquest hears Those caught with a ninja sword in a public place already face up to four years in jail. But Mr Barber warned that 'we should not lose sight of the fact that most weapons used by criminals are normal household knives'. In a statement issued on Saturday, August 2, he said: "Whilst this new ban will make a difference in providing the police with additional powers to remove these deadly weapons, we should not lose sight of the fact that most weapons used by criminals are normal household knives. "Dealing with individual types of weapons is helpful, but there is no substitute for a robust policing response and continued work to prevent people carrying knives in the first place. "The ban will undoubtedly assist the police in keeping our streets safe, but the new legislation will only have an impact in a limited number of situations. "We should be cautious of governments, of all shades, seeking to create the impression of action through announcements and bans, rather than applying a razor-sharp focus on tackling the root of the problem. READ MORE: Police step up patrols after 'drug use' in wooded area "In Thames Valley I have deliberately focussed our efforts on knife possession to ensure robust police enforcement and early intervention to prevent young people carrying weapons." The ban on ninja swords is the first part of the government's manifesto commitment to introduce Ronan's Law, and latest step under the pledge to halve knife crime in the next decade. It comes after at least a thousand deadly weapons were handed in following the country's largest weapons surrender scheme. A knife amnesty bin (Image: TVP) Launched in June, the Home Office developed this scheme with members of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime to provide a broader range of ways the public could surrender weapons outside of police stations. This saw Faron Paul, CEO of FazAmnesty, driving a custom built and fully secure surrender van, across London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, and Words4Weapons supplying 37 new surrender bins, all funded by the Home Office.
BBC News
02-08-2025
- BBC News
Reading anti-social behaviour clampdown consultation opens
A consultation on plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in a town, including aggressive begging and street drinking, has been Borough Council wants to introduce a public spaces protection order (PSPO), which it said would make it easier to stop nuisance behaviour and is supported by Rowland, chair of the council's community safety partnership, said the order would give police officers the power to halt behaviour "that causes residents undue anxiety, nuisance or distress" and urged people to share their consultation is open for responses until 7 September. PSPOs give police and local authorities powers to address anti-social behaviour in public the plans, Thames Valley Police officers would be able to ask people drinking and causing nuisance or disorder to stop and hand over any containers believed to contain would also give the force more powers to stop e-bike and e-scooter riders purposely causing distress or nuisance, the council would make begging subject to enforcement and it would make it an offence to not pick up after your dog. or hold your dog on a lead if ordered to."Street drinking and begging, dog fouling and proper dog control, along with the aggravated misuse of mechanically propelled micro-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters are all issues that are increasingly upsetting residents," said Ms said while a PSPO was not a "panacea to cure all those ills" it was "another very useful tool to allow officers the powers they need to halt the worst of anti-social misbehaviour that causes residents undue anxiety, nuisance or distress". You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
