Pictured: Boy, 13, who was stabbed to death at Reading beauty spot

A 13-year-old boy who was allegedly stabbed in the neck in a playing field in Berkshire has been praised as a ‘kind and compassionate’ child, as his fellow schoolpupils were left ‘reeling’ after his death.

Oliver Stephens was identified as the victim of the attack as four boys and a girl were arrested and witnesses told of the desperate attempt to save his life yesterday. 

The teenager was knifed in fields backing onto Reading Golf Club in the commuter suburb of Emmer Green and died at the scene after police were called.

One witness said they saw a boy on the ground with a number of people gathered around, trying to give him first aid – with the victim’s face looking ‘very white’. 

A woman believed to be his sister, Emilia, 26, said on Instagram: ‘I’m so sorry I failed you, I wish I could have saved you from it all. We will get justice for you my angel.’  

Oliver was stabbed just 250 yards from his family’s £750,000 four-bedroom home on the edge of the fields. 

Thames Valley Police said five teenagers aged between 13 and 14 were all being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. 

Today, officers stood guard at police cordons erected at Bugs Bottom Fields, one blocking a road around it and another sealing off access to an open patch of grass. 

Neighbours said that the schoolboy was a pupil at Highdown Secondary School – and a former school friend said he was a ‘kind and compassionate boy’. 

Rachel Cave, headteacher at Highdown, said today: ‘The Highdown community is reeling from the tragic news that a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in Emmer Green. 

‘This student was part of our community and many students and staff knew him well. For a life to be ended at such a young age is a total tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

‘Many have been deeply affected by this tragedy. In normal circumstances we would open the school and welcome in students for support before the start of the term. 

‘We are currently unable to do this of course but are arranging counselling support and will be establishing an electronic book of condolence.

‘Highdown is a supportive and close-knit community, we will work together over the coming days and weeks. We are, of course, working closely with our police colleagues.’ 

Olly attended Emmer Green Primary School, where he left three years ago. He was in Year 9 at Highdown. 

Several mothers and their children laid flowers at the school with cards. They said their children were ‘devastated’ and called the killing ‘senseless, utterly senseless’.

One card read: ‘Fly high Olly, love you loads, night night. We’re all gonna miss you. Our angel Olly, gone way too soon, you didn’t deserve this, in my heart forever.’

Another read: ‘Dearest Olly, Taken way too soon, you were such a lovely lad. Loved by many. Thinking and sending love to your family at this sad time.’ 

One man said his wife was walking their dog through the park and saw a boy on the ground with several people gathered around, trying to give him first aid.

The man, who declined to give his name, said his wife said the boy’s face was ‘very white’. Today, some dog walkers had to turn back after seeing the police tape.

Another dog walker said she went through the fields at about 3.30pm yesterday and saw a group of youths standing near woods, describing it as ‘slightly unusual’.

She said the park area has been ‘heaving’ with joggers, walkers, metal detectorists and families in recent weeks.

Local resident Sue Borton, 77, said today: ‘The first we saw was all the police cars going up and down.

‘The last year was such an awful year and now this has happened already – I can’t imagine what the victim’s family are feeling.

‘There are more young families now than there has ever been living in the area. I wouldn’t have walked for a while had they not made those five arrests this morning, I would have been very cautious.’

Another resident John Craggs, 73, whose home is yards from the cordon, said: ‘From my dining room window I could see lights up in the field yesterday afternoon.

‘I came out and there was a helicopter just sitting there. It is a shocking that it is on my doorstep, I have always thought of this as a respectable sort of area.

‘It is not the sort of thing you expect to see around here. Everybody around here goes for walks especially during lockdown, it is supposed to be a safe place to go.’

Father-of-three Igor Samoylenko added: ‘It is truly terrible, we normally take the dog for a walk around the area. I have three children of my own, my youngest is aged 12 years and it is quite upsetting and frightening.

‘My middle daughter is at Highdown School, they have heard through their own channels that something has happened.’

Overlooking the murder scene, university student Callum Hopcutt said: ‘I’m a bit shaken up about it. I’ve come back from university to my own area which is supposed to be safer, but seeing that is a bit shocking.’ 

Another local resident said: This is a really nice area, I have lived here nearly 30 years and nothing like this has ever happened before.

‘Bugs Bottom fields are an area we walk in frequently, as a lot of people around here do.’

And a local dog walker said: ‘My granddaughter knew the victim because she went to the same school, Highdown Secondary in Caversham.

‘I am absolutely horrified, I couldn’t sleep last night I just kept thinking about the parents of this poor boy.

‘I was down there with my dog 30 minutes before the attack, it is a lovely area.’

Police believe people may have witnessed the ‘dreadful incident’ or may have seen the attackers who they believe fled towards a housing estate.

The fields flanked by housing estates are used extensively by dog walkers, who police have specifically appealed to for information. 

Officers have also appealed to anybody driving or cycling in the area to check any dash-cam footage taken between 3pm and 4.30pm yesterday.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown, head of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Olly’s family at this incredibly difficult time.

‘I would urge anyone who has any information that they believe is relevant to this investigation, no matter how small you think it is, to please get in touch.

‘If you do have any images or footage I would ask that you please do not share it on social media, but instead report it to us.’ 

Reading East Labour MP Matt Rodda said near the scene today: ‘I offer my deepest condolences to this poor lad’s family and friends.

‘I was deeply shocked by it, apparently this poor lad was barely 13 years old. It’s quite astounding really. It must have been truly dreadful to be here at the time.

‘This is a very quiet area, a suburban area on the edge of town and typically on a Sunday afternoon, when the incident happened, you would have a lot of families, people walking their dogs in this country park, (a) well known beauty spot which is very quiet and pleasant.’

Residents were told to expect a very considerable police presence in the area for a ‘number of days’ as the investigation continues. 

Police Federation chairman John Apter tweeted: ‘Horrific, so many lives will be shattered by this. Society does indeed need to take a look at itself.’

Emmer Green is a popular commuter village for people working in London. House prices average around £600,000. 

Local policing area commander for Reading, Superintendent Nick John, said: ‘This is a fast paced investigation and I understand the concerns that this will have caused in the local community.

‘I would like to reassure residents that officers are carrying out a thorough investigation into this incident and there will continue to be an increased police presence in the local area through the following days.

‘I’d also like to thank the local community for their co-operation and support so far and encourage anyone who has any questions or concerns to please speak to officers who are there to help and provide support.’

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 43210002635, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.