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COP RAID
Reading stabbings – Armed cops raid block of flats after stabbing attack
ARMED cops have raided a block of flats following a shocking stabbing attack in Reading last night.
Several armed police and counter-terrorism officers were seen arriving at a residence off Basingstoke Road on Saturday night.
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However, Thames Valley Police did not confirm if the police presence was linked to the attack.
Counter-terrorism police joined the investigation, while The Guardian reports that security service MI5 are also assisting the investigation.
Armed police carrying shields were seen entering the block of flats late on Saturday night as families living in the building were evacuated.
Officers remained at the scene late into the night and cordoned off large parts of the town.
Cops and forensics experts were also seen searching the park.
'RANDOM' ATTACK
Three people were killed in a seemingly random attack in Reading on Saturday evening.
Around 7pm, multiple victims were stabbed in Forbury Gardens in Reading's town centre.
A distressing video on social media showed four people on the ground as witnesses and officers rushed to their aid.
Officers were seen giving CPR to the victims who were covered in blood.
One person can be heard shouting: "He's still breathing", while another, presumably a medic, is asking for a defibrillator.
One person claimed the knifeman chased him and his friends after they witnessed the stabbings.
What we know so far:
- Counter-terror cops take over probe, as police confirm it was a terror attack
- Three men confirmed to have been stabbed to death, with three others taken to hospital
- Witness told how he saw blood spurting from the victims
- A hero cop spotted the knifeman and 'rugby tackled' him to the ground
- The Libyan suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody - he has previously been in jail for "violent" offences
- Around 20 armed counter-terror cops raided a block of flats thought to be linked to the suspect
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts were with the victims - he chaired a meeting this morning
Another eyewitness, who said he was around 10 metres from the scene, said the attack looked "completely random".
Lawrence Wort, 20, a personal trainer from Chippenham, said: "So 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."
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ARREST
A man was later arrested at the scene.
Reports claim the suspect is thought to be of Libyan descent.
The motive for the attack has not yet been confirmed.
Read More on The Sun
It is not clear whether the suspect acted alone or with someone else.
The man is currently in custody.
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