Four boys and a girl have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after a 13-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a wildlife conservation area in Reading.
Police officers found the victim shortly before 4pm on Sunday at Bugs Bottom fields, close to St Barnabas Road, Emmer Green, after reports of a stabbing. The boy died of his injuries at the scene, police said.
Thames Valley police on Monday identified him as Oliver Stephens, a pupil at the nearby Highdown school, after floral tributes were laid near the scene of the killing paying tribute to the teenager and he was named in press reports.
The five suspects remained in police custody on Monday morning. Det Supt Kevin Brown, the head of Thames Valley police’s major crime unit, said: “This remains a very active investigation and a large scene-watch remains in place.”
Police have appealed for witnesses, including anyone who may have seen people leaving the area quickly, or any motorists or cyclists with dash-cam or head-cam footage of the area between 3pm and 4.30pm, and any walkers with photographs taken in the area around that time.
“Similarly, many families walk in the area, and so if anybody has taken photographs within the area around that time, please check these and contact us if you have picked up anything suspicious,” Brown said.
“I would also be keen to hear from anybody with CCTV footage in the area, please can you check this and again contact us with anything that may be able to help us in this investigation.”
Family liaison officers were said to be supporting the victim’s family. Reading’s area commander, Supt Nick John, said the force would leave “no stone unturned” in the investigation into the “shocking incident”.
Rachel Cave, the headteacher of Highdown school, confirmed that Oliver had been a pupil. “For a life to be ended at such a young age is a total tragedy,” she said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
“Many have been deeply affected by this tragedy. In normal circumstances we would open the school and welcome in students for support before the start of the term.
“We are currently unable to do this of course but are arranging counselling support and will be establishing an electronic book of condolence. Highdown is a supportive and close-knit community. We will work together over the coming days and weeks.”
Bugs Bottom fields is a managed wildlife conservation area covering nearly six hectares of meadows, edged with small woodlands, on the northern outskirts of Reading. The area around the site was developed for housing in the 1990s, with many residents commuting to London for work.
Pictures circulated by the PA Media news agency on Monday morning showed the entire site had been cordoned off by police and a forensic tent erected. Plainclothes detectives were conducting house to house inquiries, according to the Sun.
Residents said Bugs Bottom was often used by local people to walk their dogs. One told a reporter from Berkshire Live she felt worried taking her children to the park.
“It’s extremely worrying,” said the woman, who was not named. “I’ve got children and they love going to the park. But I don’t feel it’s safe to take them there any more after this.
“Certainly we won’t be going for a few weeks now. It’s a lovely park and they love going there and climbing trees and playing, but I don’t feel it is safe for them.”