Here is the August neighbourhood update for Crowthorne from PC Alex Hillan.
Your neighbourhood policing team, PC Alex Hillan, PC Steve Botwright and PCSO Katherine Bullen, have been busy working with local people and partners identifying and tackling local crime issues, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and on-going concerns.
In April, May and June, overall recorded crime in Crowthorne has decreased significantly from 144 to 108 incidents, compared with the same three month period last year. The records show that burglaries have fallen from 18 to 11 and vehicle crimes from 15 to 5. Crime figures for Crowthorne can now be viewed on http://maps.police.uk/view/thames-valley.
I would like to remind residents of the importance of double locking your door, particularly at night, to prevent “letter box” break-ins. This is where the door is opened from the outside by putting an implement through the letter box to open the door handle on the inside. Double locking your front door will prevent this, but keep the key handy where it can easily be found by anyone living in the house. If you complete this simple double locking procedure it will soon become a habit and significantly reduce your chances of being a victim of burglary.
Summer activities are taking place again in Crowthorne this year after excellent support and attendance from the community in 2009. These activities provide fun for children, young people and their families in and around Crowthorne. A list of activities and dates can be found in Crowthorne Library, the Parish Offices, Social Club and various outlets throughout Crowthorne or for more information please contact PCSO Katherine Bullen at katherine.bullen@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. The events are free for all those wishing to take part; just turn up and join in!
We have recently seen an increase in arson incidents taking place around the Crowthorne and Sandhurst areas. If you witness this behaviour or know who may be responsible please contact the police on 08458 505 505. We would warn people that starting small camp fires in this hot and dry weather is extremely dangerous.
An incident occurred on Saturday 12 June outside the Crowthorne social club, Wellington Road, Crowthorne. At approximately 10:40 pm an assault occurred and a man has been arrested in connection with the incident. I would like to thank members of the public for contacting the police. If anyone has any further information related to the incident please contact Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505.
Patrols in the Morgan Recreation Ground have been continuing during the summer weekends. Officers will be focusing their attention in this area when school holidays begin. This year the amount of litter on the recreation ground has increased. We would advise everyone who uses it to respect residents and clean up after themselves, and also to educate younger people that this behaviour has a negative impact on the community.
I would like to thank everyone involved for the excellent outreach work that goes on in Crowthorne. Members of the Hope Zone team give up their time and work incredibly hard to support and engage with young people; they are a real credit to the community.
Due to concerns from local residents about speeding issues, speed enforcement is being carried out on a regular basis throughout the year at various locations in the Crowthorne area. The operations are run by PC Bob Wade, Road Safety Constable from the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership, working in conjunction with the neighbourhood team at Crowthorne Police Station and Bracknell Forest Council Road Safety Team. In June, 69 drivers were stopped for exceeding the 30mph limit, with speeds ranging from 35mph to 56mph. Those travelling at 40mph and above were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of £60 and three penalty points. Three of these drivers were under 25 years old, so were given the opportunity to attend a young drivers course in place of the points and fine. Those drivers that were travelling at 50mph and above will be reported to attend magistrates’ court at a later date. Drivers travelling between 35mph and 39mph were given the opportunity to accept road-side education from PC Steven Botwright assisted by Special Constable Paul Cave.
The most important issue that has been raised from these operations is that many of the drivers stopped are residents in Crowthorne and many admitted to previously complaining about speeding to the police!
We are encouraging local people who walk/travel a regular route, perhaps walking their dogs, out for a jog and local workers, to enrol on a community messaging system called Operation Labrador.
If you enrol, you will receive details and be asked to keep an eye out for vehicles that are an interest to the police. These vehicles may be stolen or suspected of involvement in crime.
For further details please contact margaret.weber@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
A Thames Valley Police open day is being held on Saturday 4 September between 10am and 4pm, at Thames Valley Police Training Centre in Sulhamstead, near Reading. The open day aims to help promote greater understanding of the work of the various departments and specialist roles within the Force.
The public will have the opportunity to look around the Force Museum, which is packed with the history of Thames Valley Police, and get the chance to meet some of the officers from the Force’s specialist departments. Admission is £2.50 per adult and under 16s go free. No dogs, except guide dogs, are allowed on site. Parking at the site is limited and will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Disabled access is available. One of the main attractions of the day is the police helicopter which will be manned by the Chiltern Air Support Unit. The Roads Policing department will also be present with various vehicles. Also in attendance will be the mounted and dog sections. Displays will also be taking place throughout the day. For more information visit the force website.
Community Messaging
This free service provides information to subscribers about crime and police activity in their area via phone or email. It also includes information on what we and our partner services are doing to bring offenders to justice or combat anti-social behaviour, and information on opportunities for local residents to raise concerns with their local policing teams.
Thames Valley Police ~ Crowthorne