Disorder creeps closer but Newbury remains quiet

Police move to reassure residents after rumours sweep the area

FOUR people were arrested for violent disorder in Reading last night (Tuesday) but the feared mayhem in Newbury and Thatcham failed to materialise.

In Newbury some traders removed tills from their premises for the night as rumours swept the town.

Some shops and restaurants, including Laura Ashley and Pizza Express, the Kennet Shopping centre and car park closed early yesterday.

A sign on the doors to the shopping centre stated that no films would be shown at the seven-screen Vue cinema after 5pm.

Thames Valley Police revealed today (Wednesday) that there were 15 arrests connected to limited outbreaks of disorder in parts of the force area overnight.

These included the four arrested in Reading for burglary of a shop and four people arrested in Banbury, Oxfordshire, for criminal damage.

One person was arrested for criminal damage in High Wycombe and another was arrested for criminal damage in Slough.

The force said in a statement: “Thames Valley Police is aware there is a lot of speculation across its force area about copy cat ‘riots' and further planned public disorder.

“Most of this speculation is taking place on various social networking sites, including Twitter and Facebook, and in the majority of cases this information is either incorrect or untrue. Regardless of the accuracy of this information, this type of speculation only serves to feed the public's anxiety.”

Meanwhile police are checking social networking sites as well as working with residents and various partnership agencies to monitor the situation and offer reassurance.

More officers have been deployed to help reassure the public, prevent further incidents and tackle any criminal activity that might occur.

Flyers from the police area commanders are being delivered to residents and businesses updating the community with the current situation and offering some precautionary advice.

Meanwhile if you have any concerns the police can be contacted on 0845 8 505 505.