Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following an incident of religious abuse against a Christian preacher.

Although there was no physical altercation, a 43-year-old Asian man, of no fixed abode, has been arrested on suspicion of ‘racially or religiously aggravated harassment/alarm/distress by words/writing’.

The man has since been released under investigation.

The incident took place on Reading’s Friar Street on Friday evening, at around 7.10pm.

The force says, due to the location and the time of day, it is likely there was a great many witnesses, but the victim has not been named.

Investigating officer PC Tom Jessop, based at Reading police station, said: “This incident occurred in public in the early evening on Friday.

“Several members of the public gathered around and observed the situation, and I would like to speak to these people as witnesses to the incident.

“If you were one of these people, I would ask you to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police, either by reporting online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43230242689.”