West Berkshire councillor’s warning to call police if they see a man who is reportedly ‘chasing girls with a knife’ in Tilehurst and Calcot

A West Berkshire councillor has warned people to avoid a man who is reportedly ‘chasing girls with a knife’ in neighbourhoods in West Reading, writes Local Democracy Reporter James Aldridge.

A report on social media states that a man had been ‘chasing girls’ and was seen in possession of a knife.

Other reports state a man has been seen chasing girls in the Calcot, Tilehurst and Prospect Park areas.

According to a public Facebook post, the suspect was accosted by a neighbour and his partner in the Oxford Road area.

The post also states that the suspect was arrested by Thames Valley Police in Belmont Place, West Reading, at around 8pm on Thursday, January 23.

A neighbour said: “It is horrific. The police arrested him and then let him go on Thursday, then he was chasing girls in Prospect Park.

“I have two daughters and I’m not allowing them to go out on their own because of it.

“Will it take a murder to actually lock him up???!!” So many girls have been terrified by him now.”

The Facebook post stating that the man was arrested has been circulated on community pages.

Joanne Stewart (Con, Tilehurst Birch Copse) has told anyone who sees the man to not approach him and either call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Thames Valley Police has been contacted for a response, and a spokesperson has acknowledged the report.

Mrs Stewart has urged people not to take the law into their own hands, but to report any sighting of the man to the police.

She added: “I’ve tried to speak to the police, I’ve emailed as well, but no one has come back to me.

“I’ve had a couple of concerned residents, I’m a member of those groups as a councillor. I’ve been watching what’s been unfolding over the last few years.

“I felt the need to remind people they seemed to be getting in a bit of a frenzy, I didn’t want people taking the law into their own hands.

“I’ve been watching it happen, people shouldn’t take action – they should contact the police.”

Mrs Stewart has also urged calm and for the incident not to develop into ‘a witch hunt’.

“People don’t want it to become a witch hunt, social media is a useful tool, but it can be dangerous at the same time.

“There is a person involved who clearly needs help, and I really hope someone is giving that individual help. I’ve also asked Tilehurst Parish Council to contact the police as well.”

King’s Academy Prospect has informed its safeguarding team, and Reading Borough Council has been contacted for a reply.