Hollie Busby

Herbies Pizza in Earley received a one-star food hygiene rating after Wokingham Borough Council inspectors found out-of-date milk, chicken thawing at unsafe temperatures, inadequate handwashing, poor cleanliness, faulty refrigeration monitoring and missing HACCP-based food safety procedures. The inspection also identified insufficient staff training and structural problems. Kathmandu Delights Limited, which operates the takeaway, was given deadlines to make improvements and may request a reinspection and rescore; a formal inspection is due within 12 months, or sooner if required.

A murder investigation was launched after a man in his seventies was found dead inside a property on Wensley Road in Reading on August 12. Thames Valley Police arrested a 60-year-old Reading man on suspicion of murder, and he remained in custody while inquiries continued. Police said there was no ongoing risk to the wider community, maintained a visible presence in the area, and appealed for CCTV, doorbell-camera or dashcam footage from people who were in the area between the afternoon of August 11 and the morning of August 12.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child after a teenage boy was reportedly inappropriately touched over his clothing at St Patrick’s recreation ground in Charvil, near Reading. The man had previously contacted the boy online and was released on police bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue. Thames Valley Police urged the public not to speculate and to respect the victim’s legal anonymity; witnesses were asked to contact police.

Age Concern Twyford and District, a day-care and social centre serving older people, is at risk of closing after 38 years because rising operating costs and declining attendance have made it financially unviable. Its final session could be held on September 4 unless immediate funding is found. Staff and families say the centre provides essential companionship, dementia support, activities and transport for about 50 registered members, and fear that closure would worsen loneliness and accelerate some users’ health decline. A JustGiving appeal has been launched, with £385 raised at the time of reporting.

At least five caravans have formed an unauthorised Traveller encampment at Westfield Road Park in Caversham, prompting complaints about alleged antisocial behavior and blocked access to cricket and football facilities. Thames Valley Police assessed the site but said the legal threshold for moving the group on had not been met. Reading Borough Council issued a notice to quit and said it would pursue court-based eviction proceedings if the encampment remained, while continuing to coordinate with police and council teams.

A man in his fifties died at the scene after being struck in a collision involving a heavy goods vehicle on the eastbound M4 near Membury Services in West Berkshire at about 8:54 a.m. on August 6. Thames Valley Police is investigating and has appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage, while the motorway remained closed between junctions 15 and 14, causing significant delays.

Juniper House, a new specialist school in Theale, is due to open in September for around 20 pupils aged eight to 16 with needs including autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties and trauma-related challenges. Operated by Amegreen Children’s Services, the school will provide small-group, tailored education at the former Englefield Estate offices. The project expands Amegreen’s local network of schools and children’s homes, and is intended to address demand for specialist provision; referrals are now being accepted.

Police are investigating a burglary at Piwnica Polish restaurant on London Road in Reading after officers were called to the break-in on Sunday evening, August 2. The restaurant has appealed to local residents for information, while Thames Valley Police said enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made. Witnesses or anyone with relevant information are asked to contact police, quoting reference 43260397692.

Przemyslaw Spychalski, a 39-year-old homeless man in Reading, pleaded guilty to assaulting a Tesco security guard after being refused alcohol because he was intoxicated. The court heard that he had already consumed six beers before entering the store and struck the guard on the head and ear. He received an 18-month community order, 80 hours of unpaid work, £50 compensation to the victim, and £85 in costs, alongside participation in an alcohol rehabilitation programme.

Anjappar Chettinad Indian Restaurant on Kings Road in Reading was temporarily closed after council inspectors found live rodents, droppings and gnawed flour bags in food storage and handling areas. The restaurant disposed of contaminated stock, while Reading Borough Council issued an emergency prohibition notice and secured a court order requiring the premises to remain closed until pest-control, structural and cleaning problems were resolved. After a follow-up inspection found no imminent health risk, the restaurant was allowed to reopen; the council was awarded £1,055 in costs.

Thames Valley Police stopped a BMW on the M4 near Reading after a report of erratic driving and found two children without seatbelts or car seats, a parent without a seatbelt, and an uninsured driver. The driver attempted to purchase insurance after being stopped, but set the policy to begin 15 minutes later. Police issued multiple tickets, seized the vehicle and reported the driver to court.

A man was arrested in West Berkshire for breaching bail conditions related to a February ketamine possession case and was found carrying additional ketamine when searched at custody. During the same neighbourhood patrol in Mortimer, Thames Valley Police officers seized a vehicle displaying false number plates. The investigation remains ongoing.

A 17-year-old boy remains in hospital with a serious head injury after his black e-bike collided with a silver Kia Picanto at a traffic-light-controlled junction in Reading on August 2. Thames Valley Police is investigating and has appealed for witnesses, particularly drivers who may have dash-cam footage of the collision or the moments leading up to it.

Jonida Thomaj and her partner Erald, who opened the Mon Cheri Greek café and bakery in Reading after moving from Albania and growing up in Greece, remain positive despite rising electricity, business-rate and other costs. The café sells Greek pastries, pies, desserts, drinks and deli foods, with Greek pies proving especially popular among local customers and students. The owners aim to keep prices affordable while managing uneven trade, and Erald has applied for an alcohol licence to serve Greek beers and spirits from 11am to 11pm. They also plan to introduce English breakfast and brunch.

Thames Valley Police closed the A329 between the M4 Junction 10 and the Coppid Beech Roundabout near Wokingham after a welfare concern involving a woman. The incident was safely resolved, the woman received appropriate care, and all lanes reopened at around 2pm after approximately two hours of traffic disruption.

JLS singer Aston Merrygold visited Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury with his wife Sarah and their three children. The family used the centre's lido, slides, splash pad and soft-play area before ending the day with ice cream, with Sarah praising the facilities in an Instagram post.

Reading resident Adrian Williams removed nearly a full carrier bag of dog fouling—around 30 piles—from the underpass between Oscar Wilde Road and Napier Road. He said some waste appeared to have remained for months and urged Reading Borough Council to install signage, a dog-waste bin and potentially CCTV. The council was contacted for comment but had not responded.

More than 100 people were evacuated from IKEA Reading after a fire alarm was triggered by a faulty sensor, prompting customers to leave the store and wait in the car park. The store stated the issue was fixed and customers were allowed back inside after about 25 minutes, apologising for the disruption.

The UK health secretary Yvette Cooper visited the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s maternity unit, emphasizing that maternity services have not been taken seriously enough and praising staff for their work. She reviewed improvements to the triage system, which has accelerated care and increased monthly referrals. Her visit coincided with the announcement of £4.5 million in government funding aimed at improving maternity and neonatal safety standards across Berkshire. The funding follows national concerns raised in the Amos Review about overstretched and unresponsive maternity services. Staff noted rising numbers of high‑risk pregnancies and more complex cases linked to later maternal age and pre‑existing conditions. Cooper highlighted ongoing efforts to expand staffing, recruit additional midwives, and strengthen national standards in maternity care while acknowledging that significant work remains to address inequalities and past failings.

Police issued an appeal to help locate Steven, a 77‑year‑old man from Reading who was previously found but has gone missing again. He has ties to Newbury and Wash Common and was last seen wearing casual clothing, with access to a red Ford Fiesta. Authorities provided a physical description and urged the public to call emergency numbers with any information referencing case 43260367263.

A new public art installation titled I Was Here has been unveiled in Reading as part of a national St Mungo’s project honoring people who have overcome homelessness. The mural, created with street artist Luke Embden, shares personal stories through QR codes, including that of Tamika, who rebuilt her life through the charity’s Housing First programme. St Mungo’s highlights the ongoing homelessness crisis while emphasizing recovery through tailored support, with the installation serving as a public call to action and remaining on King Street until July 29.

Police released an e-fit after two women were sexually assaulted minutes apart in Reading, with incidents occurring near McDonald’s on Oxford Road and outside Lightbox on Castle Hill. The suspect is described as a young white man with blonde hair, a goatee and facial scarring. Authorities urged anyone with information to contact police or Crimestoppers referencing the relevant incident numbers.

A pottery studio in Twyford, The Porcelain Pig, will close at the end of August after owner Jo Blythe decided to retire. Blythe hopes a new owner will take over the business, which she describes as successful and central to the village’s creative life. Formerly known as HaaHoos, the studio rebranded two years ago to attract more adult customers following the pandemic. A statement on its Facebook page expressed sadness over the closure and thanked the community for its support. The studio will operate with reduced hours through August, with the final painting day on August 30 and all collections due by September 5. Interested buyers are encouraged to contact Blythe.

A refurbished early years facility has opened at Thatcham Park C of E Primary School to meet rising demand for childcare and nursery places. Delivered by West Berkshire Council and funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy and the Basic Need Fund, the £850,000 project transformed an unused building into a net‑zero carbon learning space with improved capacity for 45 children. Local leaders highlighted the project’s role in expanding access to high‑quality early education and supporting sustainability goals. The facility is now open and enrolling pupils.

A criminal network running brothels disguised as massage parlours across several UK towns, including Reading, was exposed following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit. Three individuals—Khondakar Hasan, Liu Xu Hopkins and Benjamin Hopkins—were convicted of conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and received prison sentences. The network recruited women, controlled their movements and attempted to conceal illegal activity behind legitimate business fronts. Police and prosecutors highlighted community cooperation, the effectiveness of coordinated law‑enforcement action and the operation’s exploitative nature.

A long-running dog-friendly cafe in Sulham Hill is seeking community support to avoid closure after rising costs and reduced footfall during recent heatwaves. Staff launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover overheads, repairs and staffing needs, raising £1,475 of a £3,500 goal. A staff member highlighted the cafe’s role as a safe, social space for locals and expressed hopes to improve the venue, including adding air conditioning to maintain consistent opening hours.

Reading and Leeds Festival will undergo their largest staging redesign in 37 years for the 2026 edition, introducing six new themed stages including The Grid as the new main stage and newly built areas such as The Gallery, The Warehouse and The Ballroom. The lineup features major artists including Charli XCX, Dave, Raye and Florence + The Machine, with additional emerging performers highlighted on dedicated stages. Reading has sold out weekend tickets, with the festivals set to run from August 27 to 30.

Sean Cross was sentenced to five years in prison after forcing entry into a Newbury home and threatening a woman and two teenage girls with a knife. A jury found him guilty of burglary and threatening with an offensive weapon. Thames Valley Police expressed hope that the conclusion of the investigation would bring some peace to the victims.

Police appealed for witnesses after a woman driving a white Vauxhall Corsa suffered life‑threatening injuries when her car left the A34 near East Ilsley and entered a ditch. She remains in hospital, and no arrests have been made. Thames Valley Police requested any eyewitnesses or dash‑cam footage to assist the investigation, with information directed to the non‑emergency police line or Crimestoppers.

St Joseph’s College in Reading is closing permanently after months of financial instability, despite extensive efforts by parents to keep it open. The board of governors cited operational cost pressures, declining pupil numbers and unsuccessful attempts to secure a merger or investment. Parents strongly criticised the school’s communication throughout the process, while school leaders expressed gratitude to staff and local authorities supporting pupils and arranging new placements.

A wanted man in Newbury was arrested after being spotted by two Thames Valley Police officers who recognized him as a suspect linked to nine shoplifting offences. The officers detained him after he entered a shop, and he is now being sent to court to face charges.

An amber heat-health alert has been issued for Reading and the wider South East as temperatures are forecast to peak at 33C, following a record-breaking June heatwave. The UK Health Security Agency warns of potential health impacts, especially for older adults and vulnerable people, and advises avoiding peak sun hours, staying hydrated, and limiting strenuous activity. The Met Office expects high temperatures to persist through the weekend, prompting further guidance to check on at-risk individuals.