Overview
- Three suspicious packages were discovered in Reading town centre on Saturday, July 25, at locations outside The Botanist, McDonald’s on Friar Street, and The Hope Tap Wetherspoons.
- A 51-year-old local man, identified by local reporting as Alex Hilbourne of Russell Street, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and two counts of possessing items intended to damage property and is due in magistrates’ court today.
- An Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended each scene as a precaution, officers established cordons, the objects were safely removed, and cordons have since been lifted with the town centre reopened.
- Police say enquiries are ongoing, detectives are pursuing several lines of inquiry, officers do not believe there is a wider threat, and extra patrols have been deployed to reassure the public.
- Thames Valley Police have appealed for witnesses and information and have given a case reference for people to report what they saw as the investigation proceeds and evidence is examined.