The hero officer who rugby-tackled a Libyan knifeman who had only moments earlier stabbed three people to death has been praised by police chiefs.
The lone police sergeant was able to tackle the 25-year-old knife suspect to the ground, as he tried to flee the scene of the attack in Forbury Gardens, Reading, at around 7pm yesterday, according to witnesses.
Today police chiefs praised the brave unarmed officer, who was one of the first to arrive at the scene after the alarm was raised, along with other members of staff for ‘running towards danger with the sole thought of protecting the public’.
Following the frenzied attack, witnesses said the attacker, who also left three others injured, had targeted a group of middle-aged men ‘sitting drinking beer’ and systematically stabbed them ‘in the neck and under the arms’.
The three injured victims were last night understood to be in a critical condition at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The knifeman, 25, who was rugby-tackled by the hero officer as he fled the scene, is detained by police in the middle of a street
Speaking of the moment the suspect tackled to the ground, a police source told the Sunday Mirror: ‘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.’
Meanwhile personal trainer Lawrence Wort, 20, who watched the terrifying scenes unfold in the park, said: ‘The park was pretty full. One group of friends were sitting drinking when one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around, 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 sitting down. He got one person in the back of the neck and then, when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out of the park.’
Today Thames Valley Police chairman Craig O’Leary said: ‘First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the horrific incident last night and we wish our very best to those still injured.
‘There can be no doubt that the swift response of our Thames Valley Police colleagues saved further harm from being caused and potentially more lives from being lost.
‘There are barely words to describe their bravery – officers who ran towards danger with the sole thought of protecting the public we serve. Other colleagues valiantly rushed to the scene to try and save and preserve life.
‘While the investigation into this incident continues, what we can say is the public can rightly be proud of their emergency services today.’
Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), who have been working closely with Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Department, also confirmed that the stabbing has now been declared a terrorist incident.
Police officers detain the knife suspect after the frenzied attack which has today been declared a terrorist incident
The knifeman is arrested by police officers after he carried out his attack on members of the public
A police cordon is put up at the entrance to Forbury Gardens in Reading, after the attacker targeted groups of people
Floral tributes are left at the entrance to Forbury Gardens for the victims of the stabbing attack
A woman places flowers at the Abbey gateway of Forbury Gardens after three people were stabbed to death
Chief Constable John Campbell of Thames Valley Police added: ‘I am deeply saddened by the events of last night.
‘This was a truly tragic incident and the thoughts of Thames Valley Police are with all those who have been affected.
‘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 CTPSE as they progress their investigation.
‘Police cordons continue to be in place and are likely to be for some time as CTPSE work further to investigate this incident and establish exactly what happened.
‘I would urge the public to avoid the area at this time and thank the community for their patience. We will let you know as soon as the area is back open. I would also ask that the public avoid speculation.
‘We would like to hear from anyone who has video footage. 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.
Police officers rush to the scene near Forbury Gardens park in Reading, last night following the knife attack
Members of the police force walk towards the abbey gateway of Forbury Gardens in Reading town
Counter Terrorism Police are working closely with Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Department
‘If you have any information about this incident, please contact us on 101 quoting reference 1159 20/6.’
Today a Downing Street spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister held a meeting at 9am with security officials, police and senior ministers in Number 10.
‘The Prime Minister was updated on the ongoing investigation into the fatal stabbings in Reading.’
Counter Terrorism Policing will make a further statement later today.