Police are dealing with an "serious incident" at a park in Reading.
Reports on social media claim "multiple people" have been stabbed.
Thames Valley Police tweeted: "We are aware of reports of an incident in Forbury Gardens, Reading. Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident."
Image:Forbury Gardens. Pic: Google Street View
Police have sealed off a large area around the scene, while local councillors have urged people to stay away after the incident was reported around 7.30pm.
The leader of Reading Council, Councillor Jason Brock, tweeted: "Concerning reports from Reading town centre - please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident."
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A peaceful Black Lives Matter protest took place at the park earlier today. There is no suggestion that the incident is linked to any protests.
Freelance journalist Claire Gould, 33, who lives near the scene, told the PA news agency she saw the emergency air ambulance vehicles land on the nearby Kings Meadow as a police helicopter circled overhead.
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She described hearing lots of sirens and said surrounding roads and a retail park had been cordoned off by officers.
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Deeply concerned to hear reports of an incident in Reading. My thoughts are with everyone involved, including police and emergency responders at the scene."
Witness Poornima Ravindran tweeted: "Walking back from the grocery run from Tesco napier road and saw emergency services performing CPR on someone in forbury gardens . I counted 4 squad cars arrive followed by police vehicle and ambulance. What's happening!!!"
Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward tweeted: "Very concerning news coming in about a serious incident in Forbury Gardens #Rdg#rdguk.
"Please keep away from the area so emergency services can do their jobs. My thoughts are with everyone affected."
Three children aged 12, eight and five have died in hospital and their mother is in critical condition after a fire at a flat in Scotland.
Fiona Gibson, 12, Alexander James Gibson, eight, and Philip Gibson, five, were rushed to hospital after the upper-cottage flat in Paisley, Renfrewshire, caught ablaze.
The siblings - who neighbours saw happily playing on a bouncy castle just days before tragedy struck - died shortly after they were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Fiona Gibson, 12, Alexander James Gibson, eight, and Philip Gibson, five, have died in hospital and their mother is in critical condition after a fire at a flat in Scotland
The siblings died at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow shortly after they were admitted to Hospital. Pictured: A fire engine at the scene
The children were rushed to hospital after the upper-cottage flat in Paisley, Renfrewshire, caught ablaze. Pictured: A fire engine at the scene
A woman believed to be their mother Julie Daley, 39, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she remains in critical condition.
The children's father Alex Gibson discovered the flat on fire when he returned from a local garage, The Daily Record reported.
A witness to the blaze, who rushed to help, told local media: 'I don't know how to describe it, it was a raging fire, it was moving so quickly.'
He added: 'One of the kids came out first and then an adult female. It was absolutely horrible. It's such a tragedy.'
Emergency services are believed to have received the call about the fatal blaze at around 9pm last night, The Sun reports.
Fiona, 12, Alexander James, eight, and Philip, five, all died in the tragic blaze in their flat today
The siblings (pictured) died shortly after they were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow
Mr Gibson posted on Facebook saying: 'May u rest in peace little angels.'
Offering her condolences, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: 'No words are enough. It’s just heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all who loved these poor children. Fiona, Alexander and Philip - may you rest in peace.'
Police officers and firefighters were both at the scene. The blaze was put out by the morning.
A police spokesperson said: 'An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of this incident.'
Police ask that anyone with information contact them on 101 quoting incident number 3669 and the date June 19, 2020.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson added last night: 'We were alerted at 9pm on Friday 19 June to reports of a dwelling fire in Paisley.
'Operations control mobilised 6 appliances to the town's Renfrew road where firefighters were met by a well developed fire within a first floor property.
'Firefighters remain on the scene working to extinguish the fire.'
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her condolences to the loved ones of the children
A woman believed to be their mother Julie Daley, 39, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she remains in critical condition. Pictured: Police and firefighters at the scene
Chancellor Rishi Sunak hinted the two-metre rule could be axedCredit: London News Pictures
Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement next weeks on pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels reopening on July 4.
Mr Sunak said today: "The outcome of that review will be announced this week. Obviously that's something that will make an enormous difference I think to many businesses who are keen to see a change.
"Obviously we need to go through that review but I'm very understanding of the calls for action on that, particularly for our hospitality industry, for our pubs, for our restaurants, (they) are keen to see if there's some change that can be made there."
The Chancellor strongly signalled the PM's review will allow the Government to ease the measure in England - easing the pressure on a hospitality sector desperate to open back up.
Scientists have said they are "totally comfortable with" the two-metre social distancing rule being reduced - but only if people sit side by side and wear face coverings as much as possible.
With the coroanvirus alert level having been reduced from four to three on Friday, plans to allow the hospitality sector to reopen were beginning to emerge.
And yesterday the PM told the nation to “watch this space” on the ruling as he declared the country was moving into the next phase of the Covid battle.
He went on: “We have got to start thinking of a world in which we are less apprehensive about this disease.
“Yes, it has been a horrible shock for the country and for the world and I think the British people have worked incredibly hard to drive it down.
"But we are starting to make some real progress with test and trace, treatments for the disease.
“I hope as we go towards the autumn people will be much, much more confident.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
Guidance drawn up by the sector and ministers is understood to encourage pub goers to order drinks using phone apps instead of going to the bar, while current legislation was said to include the powers for patrols.
Downing Street is expected to make the crunch decision on the two-metre rule within days.
The PM also said it is his intention that children of all ages in England should be able to return to school on a five-days-a-week basis in September.
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Education Secretary Gavin Williamson suggested that primary school class sizes of 15, known as "bubbles", could be expanded back to their normal size to allow more children back in the classroom.
In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford was planning to end its five-mile restriction on travel next month and allow holidaymakers to return a week later.
And in Northern Ireland, most pupils are set for a return to education in the autumn after ministers agreed to cut the social distancing measure to one metre.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the Department for Education is looking at a relaxation for the 2 metre rule in England
Three children aged 12, eight and five have died in hospital and their mother is in critical condition after a fire at a flat in Scotland.
Fiona Gibson, 12, Alexander James Gibson, eight, and Philip Gibson, five, were rushed to hospital after the upper-cottage flat in Paisley, Renfrewshire, caught ablaze.
The siblings - who neighbours saw happily playing on a bouncy castle just days before tragedy struck - died shortly after they were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Fiona Gibson, 12, Alexander James Gibson, eight, and Philip Gibson, five, have died in hospital and their mother is in critical condition after a fire at a flat in Scotland
The siblings died at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow shortly after they were admitted to Hospital. Pictured: A fire engine at the scene
The children were rushed to hospital after the upper-cottage flat in Paisley, Renfrewshire, caught ablaze. Pictured: A fire engine at the scene
A woman believed to be their mother Julie Daley, 39, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she remains in critical condition.
The children's father Alex Gibson discovered the flat on fire when he returned from a local garage, The Daily Record reported.
A witness to the blaze, who rushed to help, told local media: 'I don't know how to describe it, it was a raging fire, it was moving so quickly.'
He added: 'One of the kids came out first and then an adult female. It was absolutely horrible. It's such a tragedy.'
Emergency services are believed to have received the call about the fatal blaze at around 9pm last night, The Sun reports.
Fiona, 12, Alexander James, eight, and Philip, five, all died in the tragic blaze in their flat today
The siblings (pictured) died shortly after they were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow
Police officers and firefighters were both at the scene. The blaze was put out by the morning.
A police spokesperson said: 'An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of this incident.'
A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson added last night: 'We were alerted at 9pm on Friday 19 June to reports of a dwelling fire in Paisley.
'Operations control mobilised 6 appliances to the town's Renfrew road where firefighters were met by a well developed fire within a first floor property.
'Firefighters remain on the scene working to extinguish the fire.'
A woman believed to be their mother Julie Daley, 39, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she remains in critical condition. Pictured: Police and firefighters at the scene
Chancellor Rishi Sunak hinted the two-metre rule could be axedCredit: London News Pictures
Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement next weeks on pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels reopening on July 4.
Mr Sunak said today: "The outcome of that review will be announced this week. Obviously that's something that will make an enormous difference I think to many businesses who are keen to see a change.
"Obviously we need to go through that review but I'm very understanding of the calls for action on that, particularly for our hospitality industry, for our pubs, for our restaurants, (they) are keen to see if there's some change that can be made there."
The Chancellor strongly signalled the PM's review will allow the Government to ease the measure in England - easing the pressure on a hospitality sector desperate to open back up.
Scientists have said they are "totally comfortable with" the two-metre social distancing rule being reduced - but only if people sit side by side and wear face coverings as much as possible.
With the coroanvirus alert level having been reduced from four to three on Friday, plans to allow the hospitality sector to reopen were beginning to emerge.
And yesterday the PM told the nation to “watch this space” on the ruling as he declared the country was moving into the next phase of the Covid battle.
He went on: “We have got to start thinking of a world in which we are less apprehensive about this disease.
“Yes, it has been a horrible shock for the country and for the world and I think the British people have worked incredibly hard to drive it down.
"But we are starting to make some real progress with test and trace, treatments for the disease.
“I hope as we go towards the autumn people will be much, much more confident.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
Guidance drawn up by the sector and ministers is understood to encourage pub goers to order drinks using phone apps instead of going to the bar, while current legislation was said to include the powers for patrols.
Downing Street is expected to make the crunch decision on the two-metre rule within days.
The PM also said it is his intention that children of all ages in England should be able to return to school on a five-days-a-week basis in September.
SUMMER SCORCHER
Britain set for hottest day of the year as 31C 'tropical plume' heads to UK
Investigation
GROUNDED
The UK city worst hit by lockdown as thousands lose jobs & fear 'new depression'
Breaking
FATAL BLAZE
Kids aged 5, 8 & 12 die and mum critical after flat fire as cops launch probe
GRIM RISE
UK coronavirus daily death toll lowest Saturday since lockdown as 128 more die
BEER WE GO!
Pubs, restaurants & hotels 'to reopen from July 4' as scientists OK 2m rule cut
CHEERS TO THAT!
Boozers swarm pubs as lockdown end finally in sight with 2m rule to be axed
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson suggested that primary school class sizes of 15, known as "bubbles", could be expanded back to their normal size to allow more children back in the classroom.
In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford was planning to end its five-mile restriction on travel next month and allow holidaymakers to return a week later.
And in Northern Ireland, most pupils are set for a return to education in the autumn after ministers agreed to cut the social distancing measure to one metre.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the Department for Education is looking at a relaxation for the 2 metre rule in England