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Reading stabbings: Hancock says three killings a 'terrible crime, whatever the motive' Reading stabbings: Police declare the three killings a terror incident
(32 minutes later)
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the death of three people in a stabbing attack in Reading was a "terrible crime, whatever the motivation". Police have declared the stabbing attack in Reading in which three people died a "terrorist incident".
He said it is not being treated as a terror incident but added: "We are closely monitoring the situation."
A 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested at the scene of the attack at about 19:00 BST on Saturday, which also left three people seriously injured.A 25-year-old man from Reading was arrested at the scene of the attack at about 19:00 BST on Saturday, which also left three people seriously injured.
Counter-terrorism police are now taking over the investigation, Thames Valley Police said.
Security sources told the BBC the man arrested is thought to be Libyan.Security sources told the BBC the man arrested is thought to be Libyan.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police said the attack had been declared a terror incident by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national co-ordinator for the Counter Terrorism Policing network.
Chief Constable John Campbell said it was a "truly tragic incident".
"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," he said.
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Hancock said Home Secretary Priti Patel and Prime Minister Boris Johnson would be in contact with police leading the investigation later on Sunday.Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Hancock said Home Secretary Priti Patel and Prime Minister Boris Johnson would be in contact with police leading the investigation later on Sunday.
"This is not currently being treated as a terrorist incident but we are closely monitoring the situation," he said. "It's clearly a terrible crime whatever the motivation and we will be making sure the police have all the support they need," he said.
"It's clearly a terrible crime whatever the motivation and we will be making sure the police have all the support they need."
The prime minister met security officials, police and senior ministers at Downing Street on Sunday at 09:00 BST and was updated on the ongoing investigation.The prime minister met security officials, police and senior ministers at Downing Street on Sunday at 09:00 BST and was updated on the ongoing investigation.
An eyewitness to the attack at Forbury Gardens, a park near the centre of Reading, said he saw a man moving between groups of people in the park, trying to stab them.An eyewitness to the attack at Forbury Gardens, a park near the centre of Reading, said he saw a man moving between groups of people in the park, trying to stab them.
Three people died in the attack, and another three were seriously injured.
The arrested man had previously been in prison in the UK for a relatively minor conviction, not a terrorism offence, sources told the BBC.The arrested man had previously been in prison in the UK for a relatively minor conviction, not a terrorism offence, sources told the BBC.
Det Chf Supt Ian Hunter, from Thames Valley Police, said police were "keeping an open mind as to the motivation for the incident" but added they were not looking for any other people in connection with the attack.
By Linda Serck, BBC NewsBy Linda Serck, BBC News
Reading appears desolate and in mourning this morning. Large areas outside the gardens are taped up and there are not many people here, mainly journalists and their TV cameras.Reading appears desolate and in mourning this morning. Large areas outside the gardens are taped up and there are not many people here, mainly journalists and their TV cameras.
A strong wind is rattling litter in grey, deserted streets, most of which are being patrolled by armed police. Commuters are struggling to get to work as so many roads have been cordoned off with police tape.A strong wind is rattling litter in grey, deserted streets, most of which are being patrolled by armed police. Commuters are struggling to get to work as so many roads have been cordoned off with police tape.
The few people arriving from Reading station expressed "shock". Marie Castro from Slough works at a Costa coffee shop in Reading and said: "I was scared to be here but I have to be here for work."The few people arriving from Reading station expressed "shock". Marie Castro from Slough works at a Costa coffee shop in Reading and said: "I was scared to be here but I have to be here for work."
The attack "doesn't seem right for Reading", she added.The attack "doesn't seem right for Reading", she added.
"It's multicultural and really friendly. I was really shocked when I heard the news"."It's multicultural and really friendly. I was really shocked when I heard the news".
A block of flats on Basingstoke Road in Reading was raided by more than a dozen armed police officers carrying shields at about 23:00 BST on Saturday.A block of flats on Basingstoke Road in Reading was raided by more than a dozen armed police officers carrying shields at about 23:00 BST on Saturday.
About an hour and a half after they entered, a loud bang was heard at the scene, after which several of the armed officers left.About an hour and a half after they entered, a loud bang was heard at the scene, after which several of the armed officers left.
Craig O'Leary, chairman of the Thames Valley Police Federation, said the "swift action" of officers at the scene prevented "potentially more lives from being lost".Craig O'Leary, chairman of the Thames Valley Police Federation, said the "swift action" of officers at the scene prevented "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," he said."There are barely words to describe their bravery - officers who ran towards danger with the sole thought of protecting the public we serve," he said.
One officer "rugby tackled" the suspect to the ground, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.One officer "rugby tackled" the suspect to the ground, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.