Service marks five years since park attack

Family and friends joined local dignitaries at the memorial service in the park

A service has been held to mark the fifth anniversary of a deadly attack in a park in which three men were killed.

James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails were fatally stabbed by Khairi Saadallah in Forbury Gardens, Reading, Berkshire, in 2020.

He was given a whole-life jail term for their murders.

Speaking at a memorial service attended by about 200 people, the mayor of Reading Alice Mpofu-Coles said people were "still moved" by the events of five years ago.

(L-R) David Wails, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong died at the scene of the attack in Forbury Gardens

"The families are incredibly grateful for all the support.

"It's a very difficult time for them, but they know many people in Reading are with them," she added.

A private memorial service for family, friends and invited guests was held at nearby St Laurence's Church before a public ceremony at the memorial stone to Mr Furlong, Mr Ritchie-Bennett and Mr Wails in Forbury Gardens.

About 200 people attended the service including friends and families of the victims, along with local dignitaries, representatives of the emergency services and members of the public.

Dozens of people laid flowers - sunflowers, yellow roses and carnations - all flowers that were special to the three men who lost their lives on a similar summer evening.

A minute's silence was also held to remember those who died, were injured and traumatised.

Home Office minister Seema Malhotra attended the event while a wreath was also laid on behalf of Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper.

Mayor of Reading Alice Mpofu-Coles spoke at the service

Speaking earlier in the week, Mr Furlong's father Gary said he was attending to "remember and celebrate" his son.

"It's important we keep their memories and their names in people's minds. Forbury gardens did happen and it's important we learn the lessons from what happened," he added.

Mr Furlong said relatives of victims have had to "drag" governments to make meaningful changes.

Following an inquest into the three men's deaths, judge coroner Sir Adrian Fulford concluded their deaths were avoidable and found major problems with intelligence sharing between authorities.

The park had been busy on 20 June 2020 when Saadallah launched his attack as the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions had just been eased.

Before his sentencing, London's Old Bailey heard the 26-year-old "executed" the men as an "act of religious jihad".

Saadallah, who admitted the murders, had also pleaded guilty to the attempted murders of three other men who were also in the park.

He had briefly come to the attention of MI5 in 2019, but the information provided did not meet the threshold of investigation.

Saadallah had been released from prison on 5 June, days before the attack, the court heard.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she remains "determined to ensure that all the lessons learned from this terrible incident are acted on".