Motorist threatened with gun in central Reading
It happened in daylight on a busy road
Last updated 13th Oct 2023
Police are appealing for witnesses to a firearms incident in Reading.
Sometime between 10.30am and 11.30am on Wednesday (11/10), an offender threatened the driver of a vehicle, a man in his twenties, with a firearm at the traffic lights on Kings Road at the junction with Eldon Road.
The offender then left on a bicycle in the direction of Queen’s Road.
The offender is described as a black man aged between 17-19, of slim build, with a medium-length afro-style hair and clean-shaven.
He was wearing a black baseball cap, a black hooded top and trousers/joggers and carrying a brown Armani bag. He was also riding an older-style electric bicycle with a silver battery.
Detective Constable Michael Hope, based at Reading police station, said:
“I understand this incident may be concerning but we believe there is no wider threat to the public.
“Fortunately, no one was physically injured after this scary incident, which we are investigating as a top priority with our enquiries ongoing.
“Officers, including an armed deployment, attended the scene immediately after it was reported, as well as the National Police Air Service helicopter.
“We are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to please get in touch.
“I’d urge anyone with information about this incident to please call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230457261.
“We would also ask anyone who was driving in the area at the time who has a dash-cam, or any local residents with a CCTV camera or video doorbell, to please check your recordings in case they have captured anything which might help our investigation. You can sent footage to us via this dedicated online portal.
“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”