Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Thames Valley Police would like to reassure residents in Crowthorne that they are working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the area.

The local Crowthorne Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) had identified ASB as the second most important priority for local residents, after speeding.

Ch Insp Denise Blackburn, Commander of the Wokingham Local Policing Area (LPA), said: “We have been working with partners and members of the community to tackle ASB which has been reported as increasing in the past few weeks.

“Incidents have been reported in one particular area in the evenings and early hours of the morning. We will increase police patrols and work with partners to reassure residents that police will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

“I would ask residents affected by ASB to contact their local policing team by telephoning 0845 8 505 505.”

“We are also working with our police and partnership colleagues in the Bracknell Forest area in order that those committing ASB are managed locally as information suggests that many of those committing offences do not reside in Wokingham Borough.

“We have arranged to move a mobile police station to the pavilion to provide a place where residents can get crime prevention advice and talk to their local officers and council representatives.

“We will also be using this to carry out a consultation exercise whereby residents can let us know what issues are important to them, and any solutions they can suggest to address the problem of ASB and young people coming into the area, particularly during the summer months.

“In addition, colleagues from other departments, including the Dog Section and Mounted Section will also be patrolling in the area.

“We will be taking a zero tolerance approach to ASB.

“I want to take this opportunity to ask parents of young people who live in the Crowthorne area or who know their children visit the Crowthorne area to speak to them about this incident and the need for them to behave.

“Ask your children where they are going, who they are going with and what they are doing. Most importantly, take an interest in their safety, which includes advising them not to consume alcohol, as it is clear there is a link between this increased ASB and underage drinking.

“We have recently been aware of the increased problem in the area of the sports field and the neighbourhood policing team were working there on Friday evening just prior to this incident taking place. Had they not been called to deal with another matter in the area, they would have been present when this incident took place.”

Derek Williams, chair of the local Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) said: “The Neighbourhood Action Group was aware of problems with ASB in the area and continues to work with the police to monitor and address problems.

“But I must stress to the community that they need to report all instances of ASB to the police so that they have an understanding of the extent of the problem.

“The NAG is a community voice, and I would advise anyone interested in joining our – or any other – NAG to contact their local group.

For more information on NAGs, please contact Derek Williams, or your local group via 0845 8 505 505.

Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries in relation to the incident on Friday is urged to contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne