Shock moment gang of eight men armed with samurai swords and machetes attack car on residential street
THIS is the shocking moment thugs armed with SAMURAI swords appear to launch a coordinated gang attack.
Up to eight masked menaces storm an abandoned silver Audi on a residential street in Reading, Berks., in the chilling footage.
With the engine still running, they rain swords down on its wing mirrors, bonnet and smash windows as others drag open the doors.
The thugs manically stick their foot-long shimmering blades inside the car before realising no one is inside.
A resident’s car alarm can be heard wailing after being ploughed into by the saloon during the Friday 3am horror.
One of the attackers then screams an inaudible command and the whole group scarper down the street.
The hectic 30 second clip – captured by a brave neighbour who desperately tried to ward them off – unfolded on Regent Street in the east of the city.
Terrified residents say the driver may have fled before the attack.
Speaking to The Sun, a mum-of-two who has lived on the road for 6 years was left so shaken by the horror she didn’t go to work today.
She added: “We heard people screaming, we open the window and they all had swords.
“It’s scary. They have weapons, they are not scared to go into your house.”
The mum believes the gang are “not scared of anything” and she fears for her life thinking thugs may smash into her home.
She recalled: “When my scooter got stolen, we had a camera, they were directly looking at it and their face was clear. They don’t care.”
When The Sun visited the street on Friday afternoon, smashed glass was strewn across the street from where the thugs battered the Audi.
Another resident of the road of two and a half years added: “They come here, they don’t come out of the houses.
“They are covered up, hoods, it’s horrible.
“They say it happens on every corner but it doesn’t – this is really extreme.
“It worries me if they want to hide somewhere they will get into my house.”
The same resident went on to suggest the crime is “definitely” drug dealing related.
The mum-of-two told The Sun: “I heard somebody has moved into the area who is trying to take over territory so there is a turf war.”
She went on to tell of an incident last summer where a man was stabbed in the street.
The mum explained: “He stumbled all the way down the street and went into a neighbours house.
“The pool of blood was here. Same machetes and samurai swords, I think it’s the same group.”
The incident left her daughter feeling “sick” and scared to leave the house.
One lady who runs a local shop said the area has drug dealers operating in it, describing it as “dangerous”.
Another man who did not want to be named said he didn’t even wake up during the attack.
The Sun Online have approached Berkshire Police and Reading Council for comment.
Police have since put a Section 60 order in place which will allow officers to stop and search anyone in the area.
It will be enforced for 24 hours, due to expire on Saturday, February 25 at 3.20am.
It’s scary. They have weapons, they are not scared to go into your house.”
Anonymous resident
There have been no reports of any injuries following the incident.
Inspector Tom Day, based at Reading police station, said: “We have put this order in place while we carry out our investigation into this large public order incident.
“The order will give our officers extra powers to carry out stop and search activity, and has been enacted for the safety of the public.
“I understand that an order of this nature could cause concern, but while it may sound alarming, enhancing our stop and search powers provides us with another tactic to quickly identify and disrupt those carrying weapons.
“If you are stopped by an officer, please do not be worried as this does not mean that you are in trouble.
“You will see more police officers in the area while the order is in place and we expect to carry out more stop and searches than usual.
“Officers who are out and about are there to reassure you as well as using their powers under Section 60 so please do stop and speak with them about any concerns that you have.
“Anyone with information about this incident should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230084723.”