The A&E department at the Royal Berkshire Hospital descended into chaos last night (8/5) after multiple police stormed the scene following a nearby stabbing.

At around 8pm on Tuesday, May 7, eight officers attended the emergency department at the hospital on London Road.

According to Thames Valley Police and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, joint investigations into an event are ongoing.

A patient, who was present in the department with his wife, described the department as ‘chaos’ as police arrived.

Paul King said: “I was in the waiting area of the emergency department with my wife who was unwell when eight police officers from the armed response unit burst through the doors holding machine guns.

“They caused major panic and everyone was screaming and shouting. People were absolutely terrified because they didn’t know what was going on."

Paul described the situation as “sudden mayhem” in an already overcrowded A&E department.

Thames Valley Police have reported that the police presence was due to a scene watch following an incident of assault in Audley Street in Reading at around 7:50pm.

The victim, a man in his thirties was taken to the emergency department at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where is being treated for stab wounds.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson, said: “There is a scene watch in place while officers investigate the assault.

“A 33-year-old man from Southall, Ealing was arrested in connection with the incident.”

The Chronicle contacted the Royal Berkshire Hospital regarding the incident.

A spokesperson for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said: “We can confirm officers attended the Emergency Department last night.

“This is an ongoing investigation and we cannot comment further. At all times our staff prioritised the safe care and treatment of patients in the department.”

According to visitors to the hospital, the police blocked off the entrance to the hospital grounds on Craven Road.

Witnesses inside the emergency department reported that the armed police officers were in the building for around one hour.

Thames Valley Police are calling for witnesses of the event on Audley Street to come forward if they have more information.

They added: “If anyone has any information, please contact the force on 101 or by making a report online quoting investigation reference number 43240211518.”