Appeal for witnesses to public order incident – Newbury

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information after a public order incident in Newbury yesterday (6/3).

At around 2pm, a man was seen walking along the canal path behind Tesco on London Road in possession of an axe.

The man then allegedly attacked a nearby canal boat while making numerous threats to the occupants, a man in his sixties and a woman in her fifties. No one was hurt.

Officers attended and arrested a 46-year-old man from Newbury on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was later further arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He has been released on police bail until 26 May.

Investigating officer PC Alastair Moxham said: “I am appealing for any witnesses to this incident or anyone with information to please come forward.

“Also, if you have any CCTV footage in the area or any dash-cam footage if you were driving in the area around the time, I’d also ask that you check any recordings in case it has captured something that could assist our investigation.

“To contact us, call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230101237.

“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”

JD