Reading terror attack: Police officers up for award after Forbury Gardens incident

Four officers -- including one who was off-duty on the day of the incident -- chased down Khairi Saadallah after he stabbed six people in the park in a horror attack.

Three of the victims -- James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails -- tragically died from the injuries they suffered.

But police were able to prevent further fatalities after PC James Packman, who was off duty when the attack unfolded, alerted his colleagues to Saadallah’s whereabouts.

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He said: “I was sitting on the grass, facing towards where the victims were and I don’t know what got my attention first, I think it was a scream.

“I looked up and there was the suspect and he was going around the group who were sitting on the floor, stabbing them. I shouted ‘Knife!’”

After the attacker ran off, PC Packman kept his eyes on him while called the police to alert them of the incident.

His instructions allowed nearby officers Sgt Iain Watkinson, PC Liam Steele and PC Liam King to make their way by car to the top of of Friar Street where they saw Saadallah running towards them.

TVP Bravery Nominees, Reading. Pictured left to right, an image of PC James Packman, PC Liam King, PC Liam Steele and Sgt Iain Watkinson Photography by Jason Bye t: 07966 173 930 e: mail@jasonbye.com w: http://www.jasonbye.com

Despite not knowing if he was armed, the officers got out of their cars and rugby tackled him to the floor, restraining him and arresting him.

PC Steele said: “En route, we started getting all the information that it was multiple people being stabbed… as we were coming down Friar Street I saw the suspect running down the road with blood-covered all over his hands.”

READ MORE: Police praised for 'incredibly brave' pursuit of terrorist

PC Steele recalls the rugby tackle and how the team made sure the terrorist “was controlled as best as we could while bringing him down to the floor.”

PC Packham said that despite his lack of protection and the danger of the situation, “adrenaline took over”.

He said: “I just did what I thought was best to do at the time. I don’t know if I believed it. My first thought was just to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t get away. Obviously, I didn’t know the extent of the injuries of the victims at that point.”

Khairi Saadallah killed three people in Forbury Gardens

PC Packham concluded: “I felt very honoured when I got the email saying that I’d been nominated for the Bravery Awards - and I’m very glad some of the other officers involved got recognition as well.”

The quartet have been nominated for the Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Award following their actions.

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Craig O’Leary, Chairman of Thames Valley Police Federation, said: “The phrase ‘hero’ is often bandied about far too easily.

“But these fabulous four officers are just that. Complete and utter heroes. This man was a terrorist. These officers were unarmed and stopped him in his tracks before he could cause anyone else any harm.

“The actions of James – who let’s not forget was off duty – Iain and the two Liams were exemplary and in the highest standards and traditions of the British police service.

“They acted selflessly and with immense bravery in order to protect the public from the possibility of further attacks. We could not be prouder of them.”

Craig concluded: “Our thoughts remain with all those who were injured in this terrorist attack and the families of those killed in this devastating incident.”

The winner of the award will be announced on Thursday, September 9.

READ MORE: Timeline of how terror attack unfolded

Khairi Saadallah pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder in November 2020.

“The judge determined that the attack was conducted for a terrorist purpose, sentencing Saadalah to a whole life tariff without eligibility for parole for each count of murder, and 24 years’ imprisonment for each count of attempted murder.