Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Here is the monthly neighbourhood update for Finchampstead and North Crowthorne from Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Andy Roberts:

Drugs are a cause for concern throughout the Wokingham area and, once again, excellent cooperation between the Finchampstead and North Crowthorne team and with the assistance of other neighbourhood officers led to a number of arrests.

Three people were arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs and cultivation of cannabis following a warrant executed on 29 January under the misuse of drugs act and cannabis plants as well as other substances were found. A 28-year-old woman, a 24-year old man and a 30-year-old man have been released on bail until 5 March. All three are from Finchampstead.

After a lull over the Christmas period, during which there was a dramatic reduction in thefts from motor vehicles as well as damage, Crowthorne offences are once again on the rise. We encourage car owners to remain vigilant, completely clear all vehicles of any property, no matter how insignificant, and park whenever possible in well lit areas.

During the period of January to March, we generally see a drop in overall Crowthorne crime, and the recent cold weather should help reduce it further. However, remain vigilant, submit information about suspicious activity to your neighbourhood team whenever possible (via the non-emergency number: 0845 8 505 505) and dial ‘999’ if you suspect a crime in progress. The average number of crimes in this area has decreased from 50.7 to 41.7 (17.8%) in relation to the same three month period last year.

As ever we need more Crowthorne intelligence; if someone is causing problems in your community by taking or selling illegal drugs, tell us or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers (0800 555 111). Drugs are inextricably linked to anti-social behaviour, and one of the best ways for us to tackle acquisitive crime, such as burglary and theft of vehicles, and youth disorder is to reduce the supply of drugs.

The three main priorities for the area are keeping us busy with road speed checks, increased high visibility patrols to combat ASB and the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) is also working hard organising this years annual litter pick on the weekend of 20-21 March with more details to follow.

Our next NAG meeting is at Gorse Ride school on 10 February 9.30am-12.30pm where we will also be meeting with some students from local schools to discuss issues they have in the area and also to get the perspective on ASB and crime.

Crowthorne Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) Tony Smith, Ben Workman and Graham Edwards continue to patrol the area reguarly, using up-to-date crime analysis and information from residents, Wokingham Borough community wardens and housing departments to target crime and ASB hotspots. The team led operation oion cub in the Bigshotte Park area over the first weekend in February following concerns of an increase in anti-social drinking by young people near the pavillion. Alcohol has been siezed from young people and letters sent to their parents informing them.

We urge everyone to sign up to the Thames Valley community messaging system to get information about crime in your neighbourhood from Thames Valley Police direct to your mailbox or telephone. You can do this by simply logging onto www.tvpcommunitymessaging.org

For more information about your local neighbourhood team, visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk or to speak to an officer call 0845 8 505 505

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne