Police issue witness appeal after youths 'push man in Newbury canal'

A MAN was pushed by youths into the freezing waters of the Kennet and Avon Canal near Victoria Park in Newbury.

The incident happened around lunchtime on Tuesday, December 21 – and police say they have already identified some suspects.

One witness posted on social media: "Have just witnessed kids push an older gentleman into the canal by Waterside/Victoria Park.

"If your kids (probably not even teenagers) have come home in a hurry you might want to suggest they contact TVP (Thames Valley Police)... they were right in front of a CCTV camera."

The witness added that a man on a bicycle and a woman with a pram may also have seen the incident and urged them to contact police.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “At around 12.10pm on Tuesday we received a report of a man being pushed into the canal by a group of youths near Waterside Youth Centre in Newbury.

“We have identified several suspects and are following several positive lines of enquiry as part of our investigation.

“Anyone with information about this incident should call us on 101 or make a report online, quoting reference number 43210574236.”