Disbelief following Thatcham 'axe attack'

Armed police, at least two riot vans and eight police cars arrived at Sedge Grove in Thatcham just before 8pm following reports of a fight and a man wielding an axe wandering the streets.
As the poice helicopter hovered above and witnesses reported seeing a man covered in blood, armed police officers conducted house-to-house inquiries telling residents to stay indoors.
Thames Valley Police confirmed they were seeking witnesses to a fight between two men, which resulted in an assault.
Investigating officer Det Sgt Wil Johnson from Newbury Local CID said: “We are investigating this incident fully. One witness reported seeing one of the men with an axe, but we have not had any other reports or evidence to corroborate this.
“I am aware there are a number of reports on social networking sites, but want to reassure the community that this appears to be an argument between two men who are known to each other.
“And we are not aware of anyone being attacked with a weapon of any kind. Officers have been in the street today talking to neighbours and offering reassurance, but I urge anyone with information or concerns to contact police.”
Today (Weds), residents spoke of their shock at Tuesday evening’s events in what most described as a quiet neighbourhood.
Gemma Judge of Harebell Drive said that as soon as she left her house to go to the shops at about 8pm with her mother, Pauline Saunders, Sedge Grove began to fill with vans and police cars.
She said: "There were sirens everywhere. There were two riot vans and the police were coming and going from all directions."
As more and more police arrived, she was called back home by her husband and said: "[The police] filled the road.
"They said they were looking for a man in a white t–shirt covered in blood - we must have missed him by about a minute.
"I have never seen so many police.
"There were about eight or nine officers on guard."
Mrs Judge said as a resident, such incidents did worry her, adding: "It used to be nice but it is just getting massively worse; it's getting quite a reputation
Paul Naylor also of Harebell Drive said: "There was a lot of police activity, including a helicopter above. I was told that there was a man walking around wearing a white shirt that was covered in blood."
Alan Pickett of Harebell Drive said: "I didn’t see what happened and the armed police told us there was nothing to worry about. I’ve been here 10-years and it is usually a very quiet area.”
Neighbour Maria Phillips, who said that her husband had seen someone running at speed, added “It's normally quite a nice area, we normally don't have anything at all.
"This wouldn't normally worry me unless it kept happening, but it's so infrequent."
Thatcham Town Council leader and North Thatcham ward member, Lee Dillon, said: "Whilst the exact details of last night’s events are unclear, the police response was fast and proportional to the potential incident.
"I would urge any resident who has any information to contact the police to help with their enquiries in what is an isolated incident.
"These type of incidents are extremely rare not just in Thatcham but throughout West Berkshire."
Police have made an appeal for witnesses as no arrests had been made nor had a victim come forward.
Anyone with information should contact the police on the non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Anyone with information can contact Det Sgt Johnson on 101.If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.