Metal nuts smash bus window and injure walkers

Reading Buses said one of its buses was damaged

A man injured when a metal nut was fired from a van as he went for a walk said the experience has taught him not to "take life for granted".

Jazz Dhillon was one of at least three victims who had the small objects shot at them around Reading, Berkshire, in recent weeks.

Reading Buses said one of its buses also had a window broken when a nut was fired at it.

A 19-year-old man from Surrey, arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and criminal damage, has been released on bail.

Police said they were aware of incidents on roads around Woodley and Earley over recent weeks, including on Crockhamwell Road, Woodlands Avenue, Beechwood Avenue and Wokingham Road.

Jazz Dhillon was out walking when he was hit by the nut on 14 June

Mr Dhillon was hit on 14 June and then saw a van accelerating away.

“I stopped momentarily and looked at my phone and as I was looking at it I felt a sharp pain,” he said.

“Thankfully my back was turned. Then I heard something drop and I turned around and I saw a shiny nut on the floor.

“I plan to wear it around my neck as a reminder: don’t take life for granted. It could be over in a split second as it could have been for me on that particular day.”

The injury sustained by Mr Dhillon after the nut hit him last month

Robert Kimber was walking back from the shops with his wife in Woodley on 25 June.

“Suddenly I felt a pain just above the waist and just I couldn’t work out what happened,” he said.

“I bent over, dropped the shopping and when I took my hand away I found a nut.”

Det Sgt Johnathan Hare asked anyone with information to contact Thames Valley Police.

Mr Kimber was also injured after he got hit by a nut fired at him