Here is the September neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer Alastair Willcocks.
Your neighbourhood policing team, Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Alex Hillan, PCSO Alastair Willcocks 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.
Over the last three-month period the average monthly reports of thefts from vehicle has decreased by 40 per cent and theft of vehicle by 80 per cent compared with the same three-month period last year. Overall anti-social behaviour incidents have decreased by 26 per cent.
Burglaries in the area have decreased by 26 per cent compared to the same three-month period last year.
I would remind residents of the importance of double-locking your door particularly at night to prevent “letter box” break-ins. This is where the burglar puts 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.
Officers are carrying out targeted patrols in the area and asking members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour to the police.
PCSO Willcocks and colleagues have carried out a Clear Car Campaign in Owlsmoor and College Town reminding car owners not to leave valuables on display in their vehicles.
There have been a number of activities for young people running over the summer holidays as part of Bracknell Forest Council’s Extended Services “Summer of Fun" programme. On 9 August the RMA held an activity day for young people, which was part of the Summer of Fun Programme. The neighbourhood team joined the Youth Service and young people of Sandhurst to have a game of rounders at the local park at the end of July.
Police have been showing an even more visible presence over this period, engaging with young people and patrolling hotspots to combat anti-social behaviour.
Operation Lion Cub is proving to be successful over Friday and Saturday nights helping to reduce anti-social behaviour, providing faster response times to incidents and providing reassurance and confidence to the public. If you are affected by ASB please contact your neighbourhood team.
On 8 July two women were arrested for burglary in Rookwood Avenue in Owlsmoor. The property was recovered from the burglary.
A 17 year-old boy was issued with a fixed penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly.
A man in his forties was charged with a public order offence.
On 10 August a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged to attend court for shoplifting from the Co-Op store, Yeovil Road, Owlsmoor.
A number of incidents of shoplifting have been dealt with at The Meadows in College Town. Unfortunately this is to be expected at a large retail outlet.
On Thursday 12 August between 9am and10:30am PCSO Willcocks and a volunteer carried out a Speedwatch check using the Speed Indicator Device along Branksome Hill Road in College Town.
Community volunteers work alongside Thames Valley Police officers to identify vehicles which break the speed limit. A display flashes up with the speed of the driver approaching; the main aim is to educate speeding motorists and make them stop and think. Registration numbers are entered onto a database which produces a letter informing the registered owner that their vehicle has been noted to have exceeded the speed limit and warning them not to do so in the future.
If the same registration number is logged in another Speed Watch anywhere within Thames Valley area, the owner will receive another letter advising them that if they are caught a third time the information will be passed onto Roads Policing, who may take further action.
A small number of drivers were logged exceeding the 30mph limit during the hour and a half session. Archer strips were used, but no significant problem was identified along the road. If you are interested in being involved with Speed Watch please let me know.
Parking in College Road and Branksome Hill Road hasn’t been too much of a problem over the summer period. A planned operation is to commence after the schools go back to combat bad parking before and after school. Please report any vehicles causing an unnecessary obstruction. The rule of thumb is if you can’t get a double pushchair through the gap where a vehicle has parked on the pavement, causing pedestrians to walk out into the road, then we can issue a warning notice or a fixed penalty ticket.
On Monday 16 August patrols were conducted around Owlsmoor, in conjunction with the Arson Reduction Adviser for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, following recent small fires in Wildmoor Heath, Magdalene Road, and South Road. Officers are asking residents to report any suspicious behaviour to the police.
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.
Operation Labrador is targeting dog walkers and joggers in and around Sandhurst, while on their early morning or late walks or runs, to help police keep an eye out for vehicles of interest that may be stolen or involved in crime. It is run using a community messaging system with details sent to all members on these vehicles of interest. If you would like to take part in this initiative please email Margaret.weber@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk with your full details.
You can contact your local neighbourhood policing team through a number of methods, but our next “Have your Say” public meeting will be held on 2 September from 5pm to 6pm outside the Co-Op store in Yeovil Road, Owlsmoor.
These meetings are an ideal opportunity for residents to speak to their neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs about any local issues. No appointment is necessary, just turn up. Further surgeries will be publicised locally.
If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non emergency number 0845 8 505505
Thames Valley Police ~ Owlsmoor