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Bishop of Reading prays for victims' families following park stabbing

by Heather Preston

The Rt Rev Olivia Graham, the Bishop of Reading says she is "deeply shocked" after an attack in a Reading park left three people dead on Saturday night. She says her prayers are with the victims' families.

Three people died and another three were seriously injured after multiple fatal stabbings at Forbury Gardens, Reading, on Saturday evening.

A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody according to Thames Valley Police.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is "appalled" by the incident. 

Bishop Olivia told Premier she was "horrified" to think something like this could happen "just as people are starting to socialise again", following the ease of lockdown measures.

She said her prayer was first and foremost that the "love of Christ be powerfully known by all those bereaved families and friends of the victims and for Christ's healing power to be with all of those who are injured in the hospital."

"My prayers are also with the traumatised who witnessed these events," she added.

Bishop Olivia paid tribute to the response of nearby St Laurence's Church who were quick to open their doors following the incident to offer a space for comfort and prayer for both witnesses and police.

"I'm very confident that churches and other faith groups will be holding the whole situation and all those affected in prayer and I really hope that the Christian community in particular will join together and offer deep prayers for this situation."

Counter Terrorism Policing have confirmed that the attack has been declared a terrorist incident.

Officers say they are not currently look for other suspects.
 

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