The stabbing attack in Walkabout bar earlier this year has resulted in an overhaul of the venue's security, as the council found "a lack of communication" from staff resulted in the knife-wielding attacker visiting another nightclub. 

Earlier this month, former British Army soldier Krisma Anthony was found guilty of attempted murder over his attack on Tharel Thompson in the Walkabout bar in Friar Street in the early hours of Sunday February 11. 

Mr Thompson, a 29-year-old tourist from Barbados, was left with life-changing injuries akin to a major stroke after he was stabbed in the head by Anthony. 

The offender - who was sentenced to 27 years in prison - had told the court that he found the knife in a toilet cubicle in Walkabout. 

During the trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury heard from several witnesses and watched CCTV with a clear view of the attack - which ended with Anthony leaving the scene to spend the best part of an hour in the Black Diamond strip-club in the town centre.

Now the council and police have responded to questions about how the soldier was able to carry out a vicious knife attack in a night-time hotspot - and then wander around the town centre before staying the night at a friend's house in Reading. The 23-year-old was arrested after he had returned to his base in Woolwich later in the day. 

Reading Borough Council has said there was "a lack of communication from Walkabout to prevent the perpetrator accessing another venue."

The council highlighted its "Townsafe radio scheme", which allows 40 venues to communicate with each other, which may include sharing descriptions of visitors who have been ejected and should not be allowed into other venues. 

A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said: "As this emerged as an issue with this incident, the Council is continuing to encourage greater participation in the Townsafe Radio scheme as part of a critical response system for the town centre’s nighttime economy to operate safely."

Thames Valley Police officers were dispatched within two minutes of the emergency call about the knife attack, resulting in police arriving at the scene within five minutes at 2.08am. 

Officers prioritised saving Mr Thompson's life and evacuating the Walkabout bar. 

Tharel Thompson has had several major surgeries following the knife-attack. Picture provided by Thames Valley Police. Tharel Thompson has had several major surgeries following the knife-attack. Picture provided by Thames Valley Police. (Image: Yvonne Thompson)

CCTV was obtained "quickly" and witnesses debriefed, according to a spokesman from Thames Valley Police. 

He added: "Our response to this incident was in line with time limits for immediate incidents, and as such, there were no concerns on that night around this response time."

Walkabout remained closed for a month following the attack, while the licensee and their legal representative met with representatives from the council and Thames Valley Police. 

The meeting focused on security measures "expected" from the venue and its license conditions, according to a council representative. 

They added: "A range of conditions were agreed to and implemented to ensure any lapses of security were robustly addressed."

All parties agreed to "more robust" security, including search procedures, replacing metal wands with a metal arch that customers must pass through for entry, and "tightening up" of rules around entry and re-entry. 

The discussions also resulted in a reduction in licensable hours, from 4am to 2am on Friday and Saturdays, and from 2am to 1am Monday to Thursday. 

The council representative said: "The Council’s Licensing Team has subsequently undertaken close monitoring of Walkabout to ensure the agreed improvements remain in place, and has continued to work positively with Stonegate as the owners of the club."

Within the past year, the council - which checks door staff's licenses and working conditions, as well as monitoring security checks - has also replaced six CCTV cameras in the town centre through Safer Streets funding.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the council said the stabbing attack was "completely unacceptable" and the local authority "takes the need for subsequent action to eradicate reoccurences very seriously."

The statement added: "The Council was shocked and concerned by the seriousness and scale of the incident which took place at Walkabout in February, and our thoughts will continue to remain with the victim and his family."

A representative for Stonegate, the company that owns Walkabout, said the firm would not be commenting on the incident.