Hello Resident,

We are appealing for witnesses to a kidnapping in Reading.

At around 11.45pm on Saturday, two men wearing dark clothing got out of a white Ford Transit, one holding a large hammer, in Gower Street.

Then, around 50 minutes later at approximately 12.35am yesterday, two men assaulted another man outside Meadway News on The Meadway before forcing him into a white Ford Transit van. 

We’ve made two arrests in connection with this incident; one remains in our custody and the other has been bailed.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Jon Morley, based at Reading police station, said: “I understand this incident may cause some concern but we believe it was a targeted incident with no threat to the wider public. 

“There is an increased police presence in the area with extra patrols so please speak to a uniformed officer if you have any concerns.”

Anyone with footage of the area at the time or information about the incident should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43240346340.

Read more on our website.

Kind regards,