Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Here is the January/February neighbourhood update for Owlsmoor and College Town.

As you are all aware, 2010 has begun with some very wintry weather. This has meant schools have been closed, roads have been treacherous and many shops unable to open. There were quite a few reports of anti-social behaviour around the area involving snowballs being thrown. These were dealt with as quickly as possible and patrols carried out, so that the problem was minimised and local people were able to enjoy themselves in the snow.

We have tried our utmost to keep business ticking over as usual. Our neighbourhood team actually had additional officers and staff on duty, as some people came here when they were not able to report to their usual place of work in Thames Valley. Our team carried out foot patrols wherever possible, showing a highly visible presence and providing help where needed. We contacted vulnerable members of the public and gave reassurance wherever possible. It was heartening to see community groups rallying round and supporting the police and local authorities during the difficult weather conditions.

There was a burglary in the Owlsmoor area at the beginning of January, which has resulted in two arrests being made. This is an opportunity again to remind residents of Owlsmoor and College Town to double lock your front doors and close any windows to ensure your property is secure.

PCSO Alastair Willcocks was very busy at The Meadows during the Christmas and New Year period helping to prevent shoplifting and other crimes over this busy time. He has also been making members of public aware of the ‘Clear Car Campaign’ we are running. This is a chance for us to give advice to vehicle owners about leaving valuables on display. Remember it takes 32 seconds for an opportunist thief to smash and grab your valuables!

Rookwood Avenue in Owlsmoor has experienced a small amount of criminal damage. Several young persons were arrested and have been dealt with using a restorative justice approach; PC Alex Hillan has been dealing with this.

A police office at Tesco’s in The Meadows has recently been opened for our neighbourhood team to work from. This will increase the police presence in the store and hopefully reduce crimes such as shoplifting.

Traffic officers and local neighbourhood officers conducted a speed enforcement operation on 15 December in College Road, Owlsmoor. One ticket was issued to a local resident for speeding offences.

The next beat surgery will be held on 9 March from 11am to 12pm in Waitrose, College Town.

If you would like to speak to your neighbourhood team or to report a crime, please contact Thames Valley Police on their non-emergency phone number: 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Owlsmoor

Here is the January/February neighbourhood update for Sandhurst and Little Sandhurst.

Happy new year to all residents in Sandhurst and Little Sandhurst.

This year we welcome back PCSO Rebecca Swann to the Sandhurst neighbourhood team. PCSO Swann will be working part time in the Sandhurst and Little Sandhurst area.

As you are all aware, 2010 has begun with some very wintry weather. This has meant Sandhurst schools have been closed, roads have been treacherous and many shops unable to open. There were quite a few reports of anti-social behaviour around the area involving snowballs being thrown. These were dealt with as quickly as possible and patrols carried out, so that the problem was minimised and local people were able to enjoy themselves in the snow.

There was a loose horse running along the High Street in Sandhurst at the beginning of the month. The horse was led into St Michael's C of E School playing fields as a temporary measure; however the owner has not come to light as yet. We are very grateful to St Michael’s School for putting up with the horse in the field, and also very grateful to Trilakes and the local pet shops for supplying us with hay and the neighbours for supplying water. The horse has now been moved and is waiting to be rehomed.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery at the Newsboy post office in High Street, Sandhurst, on Tuesday 29 December.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery or saw anything suspicious is asked to contact Det Con Dave King via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre 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.

We have had a couple of criminal damage incidents in Sandhurst this month. One has involved possibly a catapult and lead weights; the other was damage caused to a wing mirror. Anyone with information on this, please let us know on the numbers above.

Anti-social behaviour in Sandhurst is still low, which has been a brilliant start to the year. Many youngsters congregated on the recreation ground to build snowmen and play with friends. The Coffee Spot is still running on a Wednesday evening from 7.30pm; we encourage any young people in the area to come along as it’s a great place to make new contacts and there is a variety of activities.

As the cold weather looks set to stay, if you have any elderly or infirm residents along your road please visit them regularly, as this weather can limit how much they can go out.

PCSO Byrne is holding the next beat surgery on 10 March, outside the Daycentre Charity Shop on York Town Road, Sandhurst from 12pm to 1pm.

If you would like to contact your neighbourhood team or want to report a crime, please contact Thames Valley Police on their non emergency phone number: 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Sandhurst

Here is the January/February neighbourhood update for Crowthorne.

As you are all aware, 2010 has begun with some very wintry weather. This has meant Crowthorne schools have been closed, roads have been treacherous and many shops unable to open. There were quite a few reports of anti-social behaviour around the area involving snowballs being thrown. These were dealt with as quickly as possible and patrols carried out, so that the problem was minimised and local people were able to enjoy themselves in the snow.

We have tried our utmost to keep business ticking over as usual. Our Crowthorne neighbourhood team actually had additional officers and staff on duty, as some people came here when they were not able to report to their usual place of work in Thames Valley. Our team carried out foot patrols wherever possible, showing a highly visible presence and providing help where needed. We contacted vulnerable members of the public and gave reassurance wherever possible. It was heartening to see community groups rallying round and supporting the police and local authorities during the difficult weather conditions.

Anti-social behaviour in Crowthorne is still low, which has been a brilliant start to the year. Many youngsters congregated on the recreation ground to build snowmen and play with friends.

The Crowthorne Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) meeting held on 8 December went well and we discussed what has been achieved so far with the neighbourhood priorities. PCSO Katherine Bullen will be holding the next beat surgery on 4 March at Crowthorne Library from 11am to 12pm.

We have been promoting the ‘Clear Car Campaign’ extensively this month. Crowthorne PCSO Bullen has been giving advice to car owners about leaving valuables on display. Remember it takes 32 seconds for an opportunist thief to break in and grab your belongings. Unfortunately there was a vehicle break-in just before Christmas on Upper Broadmoor Road, when expensive items were taken. Thankfully, police managed to retrieve the stolen items and suspects were arrested for this crime.

If you would like to contact your neighbourhood team or to report a crime, please contact Thames Valley Police on their non-emergency phone number: 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne

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