Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Little Sandhurst where two motorcycles were stolen.

At about 1.10am today (28/9), the residents of a property in the Sandhurst High Street heard their side-gate slam and saw a person running away. A few seconds later, a white Transit van was seen driving out of Mountbatten Rise into the High Street, travelling in the direction of Church Road.

On checking their property, the Sandhurst residents found that burglars had forced entry to their garden shed and stolen two motocross bikes. One is an orange and black KTM 85cc Big Wheel, and the other is a blue and white Yamaha 125cc.

Sandhurst PC Richard Probert, investigating officer, said: "These are very distinctive off-road bikes and we are keen to speak to anyone who sees them being ridden, or who is offered them for sale."

If you have any information about the stolen motorbikes, or noticed anything suspicious in the area at the time, please contact PC Probert on 0845 8 505 505. If you don't want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Sandhurst

Over 100 vehicles were stopped at a road check on the York Town Road in Sandhurst on Wednesday (9/9).

The Sandhurst check was held between 8am and 12pm and focused on vehicles travelling towards the High Street.

The check was part of TISPOL seatbelt week, during which the Sandhurst road safety team’s focus is on the failure to wear seatbelts.

The operation was run by PC Bob Wade, Road Safety Constable from the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership, working in conjunction with the Vehicle Operators Services Agency (VOSA) and the Road Safety Officers of Bracknell Forest Council.

54 people were issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for failing to wear a seatbelt. The fine for this offence has recently been increased to £60. Those issued with fines were offered a new online seat belt course at a cost of £25 in place of the fine.

Eight Sandhurst drivers were issued a £60 FPN with three penalty points for using a mobile phone while driving. Those issued with fines were offered the call divert course at a cost of £79.50 in place of the points and fine.

One driver had his vehicle seized for having no insurance. He was also issued with a FPN of £200 and six penalty points. He will also have to pay for the recovery and storage costs.

One Sandhurst driver was reported for tax offences.

Fifteen vehicles were issued with prohibition notices by VOSA as the vehicles were considered to be too unsafe to continue their journey. This involves the driver having to rectify the fault, sometimes immediately, before the vehicle can be driven on the road.

PC Bob Wade said: “These checks are very important in the overall effort to improve road safety. It also provides an opportunity for specialist officers and VOSA to support the work of neighbourhood officers.

“It is worrying to see that so many people choose not to wear a seatbelt. Drivers should know the law and we will continue to punish those that ignore it.

“These checks are carried out by officers from the roads policing department and our partners, such as local councils or VOSA and as they are not carried out by local officers, they don’t take them away from the important role of policing their communities in other ways.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Sandhurst

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a spate of criminal damage to vehicles in the Crowthorne and Sandhurst area.

Between 28 August and 2 September, Crowthorne and Sandhurst police received more than 20 reports of windows being smashed overnight in cars that were parked in Owlsmoor, College Town and Sandhurst.

There have been similar reports recently of smashed car windows in Finchampstead and the northern part of Crowthorne (Wokingham Without).

Sgt Graham Thorne, neighbourhood sergeant for Crowthorne and Sandhurst, said: "The damage occurred over a wide area and may have been caused by someone in a vehicle. We have stepped up patrols in the affected areas and we are working closely with our colleagues in Berkshire West to identify those responsible.

"We are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and assist with our investigation. It's important to call police as soon as possible, as this gives us a better chance of catching the culprits."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crowthorne and Sandhurst Sgt Graham Thorne on 0845 8 505 505. If you don't want to speak to police and would prefer to remain anonymous, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne and Sandhurst