South Reading

Neighbourhood Policing Monthly Newsletter

The South Reading Neighbourhood Policing Team (NHPT) have been dealing with a number of issues across Whitley, Church, Katesgrove and Minster wards during the months of November and December Firstly we would like to welcome Police Officer (PC) Elizabeth Brazier and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Michael Depass to the team. During November and into December the team have been working hard to deal with various issues on Kennet Island. This has included Burglaries, Criminal Damage to motor vehicles and high levels of Anti-Social Behaviour. We have increased our patrols in this area and are working alongside our CID colleagues, Hallmark Management Agents and various Housing Associations in relation to the Burglaries on this estate to identify the main offenders and disrupt this behaviour. We have carried out a number of Have Your Say events in the area, which has also included bike marking sessions, with the assistance of Evan’s Cycles who are offering bike safety advice. In relation to the security of the bicycles we are working with Hallmark who manage the estate on how the bike sheds can be made more secure. Burglaries have been an issue in the Whitley Wood area, which can have an awful effect on the victims involved in this crime, but more so at this time of the year. The team have taken an active role in assisting the prevention of this crime and over the past month have been very proactive in arresting a number of suspects involved in this crime. This has included the excellent work of PCSO Rod Holmes who identified an offender whilst on his patrols in the area. This lead to her arrest and she is currently remanded in custody pending a further court hearing. We would remind residents to ensure you keep your property secure at all times and locked your doors and keep valuables away from windows. We strongly advise you to use time switches with internal lights to make it appear that someone is at home even when the property is vacant. If you are going to be away for any significant time ask your neighbours and friends to keep an eye on your home. If you see anything suspicious then please contact Thames Valley police via the below methods. The team are working on an on-going operation in relation to an increase in knife crime in the South Reading area involving a number of young males. We are proactively patrolling to prevent this from continuing and I hope to have an update on this matter next month, I would ask that if anyone has any information in relation to anyone carrying knives or weapons then please contact us. We are currently working with Reading Borough Council and Affinity Housing after we identified two address’s that were causing a number of issue, one address being on Staverton Road and the other being on Whitley Wood Road. We are currently taking steps to identify the offenders and considering taking action with regards to applying to the courts for Closure Orders to prevent individuals involved in this behaviour from being able to attend these address’s and if anyone is found in them they are liable to be arrested. The team wishes you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and remember to report any issues or concerns you may have over the festive period. You can contact the team by:- Non-Emergency calls – 101 Emergency calls – 999 On-Line Report – www.thamesvalley.police.uk Anonymous reports – Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Email the team – [email protected] or [email protected]

The Have Your Say dates can be found on the Thames Valley Police website using the following link - Whitley & Church - https://www.police.uk/thames-valley/N467/news-and-events/ Minster & Katesgrove - https://www.police.uk/thames-valley/N455/news-and-events/