Reading Section 60: police can now search anyone within Tilehurst zone

FOLLOWING the most recent Reading stabbing in Coley Avenue, police have reintroduced an order allowing them to stop and search anyone the Tilehurst area.

It follows an incident in Coley Avenue, Reading, on Saturday, September 19, where a 44-year-old man sustained serious injuries after being stabbed at around 7.40pm.

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The victim of this attack remains in hospital in a serious, but stable condition.

The Section 60 order applies to the areas shown on the map pictured, which includes the Tilehurst area, from Oxford Road, and the Southcote area from the B3031 road.

Other roads include Portman Road and Berkeley Avenue.

The new order was put in place from yesterday evening (September 21) and will last for a period of 24 hours, whereupon it will be reviewed and, if deemed necessary, will be extended for a further period.

Local Policing Area Commander for Reading, Superintendent Nick John, said: "I fully appreciate the concern that incidents such as this cause in the community, and that has led to this Section 60 order.

"During the period that this order is in place, there will be an increased presence of uniformed police officers in these areas in order to provide reassurance and to prevent any reoccurrence of any such incidents from taking place.

"While incidents such as this do not happen every day, when they do occur, we will always act accordingly to ensure that the public are offered reassurance.

"Under the order, our officers have been given authority to use their powers under Section 60 with effect from 5.30pm today.

"We do not take these decisions lightly, and these orders exist to help the police prevent serious violence, and we can use these powers where serious violence has taken place or where we think it may take place. The new order will not be permanent, however it is necessary for the time being.

"Whilst this may sound slightly alarming, as mentioned, the Section 60 order is simply a measure used on occasions to prevent incidents of violence.

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"Please do not be worried if you are stopped by an officer as this does not mean that you are in trouble, this is just one method that we are using to ensure weapons are kept off our streets.

"You will see an increased police presence in these areas whilst the order is in place and we do expect to carry out more stop and searches than usual.

"Please do not hesitate to speak to one of our officers with any concerns that you may have. They will be happy to address these with you and also offer any advice or reassurance that you require."