Five children have been arrested after a 13-year-old boy was brutally stabbed.
A murder investigation was launched after a “shocking” incident in Sunday’s reading.
Police were called in just before 4pm after receiving information that he had been stabbed in the fields in the Emmer Green area of the city.
Police said the boy was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin were informed, but were not properly identified.
Thames Valley Police say four boys and a girl aged 13 to 14 have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.
Detectives described the suspicious murder as “shocking” and asked any witnesses to come forward.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email [email protected]
(Image: BA)
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown said: “This is a very active investigation and has a large visual surveillance space.
“We have arrested five youths in connection with this tragic incident, but I urge anyone with any information about what happened yesterday to contact Thames Valley Police.”
He continued: “There will be a substantial police presence for several days on the St. Barnabas Road and in the Gravel Hill area, and we have a very large visual-surveillance.
“I will appeal to anyone who has been to Crawley Hill this afternoon. If you have not already done so they hope to find something that could help with this investigation to contact the police.”
(Image: BA)
D.S. Brown added: “This is an area that is widely used by dog walkers, and I hope there were witnesses to this horrific incident or that the perpetrators quickly left the area.
“I urge anyone who has driven or cycled in the area, if there is a dash-game or head-game, please check the footage from 3pm to 4.30pm and contact me if you have caught anything that could help this investigation.
“Similarly, many families walk in the area, so if anyone was taking photos in the area at the time, please check these and contact us if you’re taken anything suspicious.”
Police say they are interested in talking to anyone with CCTV footage who can provide further information about the incident.
Local Police Area Commander, Superintendent Nick John for Reading added: “This is a shocking incident and I want to reassure the community that we are working tirelessly to find the culprits and bring them into custody.
“Naturally, this incident will cause great concern in the local community, and I fully understand those concerns.
“I want to assure the community that we are not leaving any education behind in this investigation and we have sent a large number of police officers and staff to the area.
“If you have any concerns or any information, please do not hesitate to speak to one of them.”
Anyone with information about the incident can call the 24-hour number 101 on January 3, citing 1069 incident notes.
