Man arrested at Reading Minster Church for 'criminal damage'
A significant police presence appeared outside the church on St Mary's Butts earlier today (Sunday, April 12), with one eye witness telling the Chronicle they saw police officers 'carrying' a man out of the building and taking him away in a police van.
Thames Valley Police confirmed a man was arrested after he "entered the church during a service" just after midday and "caused criminal damage".
The force said officers from their neighbourhood policing team rushed to the scene and quickly arrested the man "on suspicion of criminal damage and public order".
A police spokesperson told the Chronicle: "We understand how distressing this incident was for those who were at the church and we would like to reassure the community that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this offence."
Police officers will remain in the town centre to carry out reassurance patrols.
The spokesperson asked for anyone who has footage of the incident to please send it to the police instead of sharing it online: "We understand that the incident may have been recorded by members of the public.
"If you do have any information or footage and have not already spoken to the force, we would ask you not to share footage online but instead provide it to us.
"You can speak to one of our officers in the town, call us on 101 or via our website, quoting investigation reference INC-20260412-0652."
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