Reading prison firearms plan abandoned
Thames Valley Police says it was following talks with the new owners
Plans to use Reading Prison as a training ground for armed police have been suddenly shelved.
Thames Valley Police has authorised firearms officers who use a range of weapons, which includes tasers, air weapons, pistols and automatic rifles.
Currently, officers receive weapons training and hone their firing skills at the Thames Valley Police Training Centre in Sulhamstead, West Berkshire.
A shortlived plan would have seen officers use Reading Prison for scenario and walkthrough training.
However, the plan has been withdrawn following discussions with the owners of the site, The Ziran Education Foundation.
Request
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, said:
“The application made by the Force has been withdrawn at the request of the owners who wish to concentrate on their plans for the site.”
The police were hoping to use the Prison site for five years, until the foundation had finalised its plans for the site.
The Ziran Education Foundation was named as the purchasing company of the Prison by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in January this year.