A man has been stabbed to death in a residential street near Reading, prompting police to launch a murder investigation.
Officers were called out to Managua Close in Caversham just before 1am this morning after a 24-year-old man was stabbed in the chest.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has been named locally as Yannick, with one friend saying he was a ‘very good boy,’ who was ‘polite and kind’.
Hours before the murder, police had implemented a Section 60 order for the whole town, giving patrol officers extra powers to stop and search people suspected of carrying weapons.
Neighbours have called for greater policing in the area after a an alleged murder in Tilehurst last Saturday.
Police remain at the scene of a murder in Managua Close, Caversham, this morning after a 24-year-old man was stabbed to death
Forensic officers are searching for evidence in Managua Close this morning as neighbours say the death could be related to ‘turf wars,’ in Reading
One local resident, who knew the victim well, said: ‘He was from this estate where he grew up with his mum. He had recently moved in with his girlfriend but he would come back to visit his mother. He used to work in the local shop and was a hard worker.
‘He was a very good boy. He had a steady girlfriend for the last year. They were supposed to have a good life together.
‘He worked 12 or 13-hour night shifts in the food industry and I know he was finding that tough. He was always so polite and kind, it is so sad that this has happened.’
One neighbour said today: ‘It is frightening and a bit close for comfort. Everyone is just locked up with nothing to do, that’s why it is happening. This estate is known for drugs but I don’t think it is any different from the murder last week in Tilehurst.
‘Reading does seem to be in the spotlight. There needs to be more police, we hardly ever see them anywhere. We need more police and they need to be out and about more.’
Another neighbour added: ‘We have lived here for 20 years. When we first moved in there were lots of police here but there is not enough now.
‘There might be one police officer here a day, back then we would get four or five a day. We just need something for us.
Locals also expressed concern about police enforcing lockdown regulations.
One said: ‘Lockdown should mean lockdown, so why are we letting gangs get together?
‘They are not being dispersed. Why are we letting them get together. They should not be out on the streets at all. We need the law to be enforced.’
The murder happened just hours after police had issued a Section 60 order, giving officers additional powers to stop and search people suspected of carrying weapons
Police were called out to the residential street at around 1am this morning after a man was stabbed in the chest
Another long-time resident of the estate said: ‘We have been concerned a lot about the amount of drug activity around here. It has been bad but it has never changed.
‘We need more police presence. They used to be around quite often but now we never see them. It is really concerning for us and our children, it worries us a lot.’
The victim’s next of kin have been informed and a murder investigation launched.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Nicola Douglas, said: ‘Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the man who has sadly lost his life.’
‘We are in the very early stages of this investigation and we will be working quickly and thoroughly in the community to find those responsible.
‘There will be a cordon in place and additional officers in the area and we will be starting house-to-house enquiries as part of this investigation.’
The 24-year-old victim was stabbed in the street in Managua Close at around 1am on Sunday
Police have asked the public to leave speculation off social media and instead speak to officers at the scene if they have any questions relating to the death
Det Insp Douglas added officers would be conducting house-to-house enquiries as part of the investigation.
She said: ‘If you have any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area around Managua Close, Nire Road or Ian Mikardo Way between 11pm yesterday and 1am today, please take a look at the footage and, if it captures anything unusual, please share that with us.
‘I can assure the community, we will be doing everything we can to find out exactly what has led to the death of the victim.
Det Insp Nicola Douglas added officers would be conducting house-to-house enquiries as part of the investigation.
Today’s murder comes just over a week after a 26-year-old man was stabbed to death in nearby Tilehurst, the two deaths are not being linked at this stage. Police remain at Malagua Close today
‘If you have concerns, there will be officers in the area so please feel free to approach them and they should be able to reassure you.
‘We would ask that speculation is kept off of social media, instead please report any information to police to help this investigation’.
Today’s death comes after ‘quiet only son,’ Raheem Hanif was allegedly murdered in nearby Tilehurst last Saturday.
Raheem, aged 26 years, was found slumped in a pool of blood in a car park in Dulnan Close, last Saturday evening. He had been stabbed in the upper chest.
The two deaths have not been linked at this stage.
Four people have been charged with murder and remanded in custody in connection with Raheem’s death.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.