Your neighbourhood 

Bucklebury neighbourhood update

Update for April

Here is the latest Bucklebury Cluster Neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer Jon Coffman

April

Firstly, this will be my final update for the Bucklebury neighbourhood as I am moving to North Thatcham neighbourhood.  Thank you to everyone for your support during my time as your PCSO.  PCSO Karen Taylor has now taken over the area.

Burglary Alert

There was a slight increase in house burglaries between December 2008 and February 2009 compared to the same period a year ago, so please take care to make your homes secure.  

Be aware also that the arrival of Spring can mean more break-ins to garden sheds and outhouses.  There are many simple ways to improve security to your property:

•Ensure that any outbuilding is secure with a strong padlock

•Make sure windows are secure and garden tools and equipment are put away after use

•Mark these items with your postcode

•Make it difficult for an intruder to gain access consider upgrading your fencing and suitable planting of prickly foliage  

•Install security lighting.

If you would like any further advice please contact PCSO Karen Taylor on 0845 8 505 505

New Parking Rules

On 6 April West Berkshire Council (WBC) took over the responsibility for on street parking in rural areas and Newbury and Thatcham.

Parking tickets carry a two-tier level of penalty depending on the type of offence and there will be a greater presence of parking attendants on the local streets.

They be able to enforce parking restrictions around schools. You can avoid the risk of incurring a £70 fine by using the village hall car park in Cold Ash or the Spotted Dog pub car park, and walking with your children to the school entrance. This is safer too for families with small children who walk to school and need free access to the pavements. For further information go to: www.westberks.gov.uk/parking

Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) priorities

1. Speeding in Compton High Street

2. Vandalism, Compton Village (Recreation ground in particular, any other locations to be determined)

3. Youths congregating – High Street/Horn Street (outside village stores and pub).

A questionnaire has been included in the latest Compton Parish magazine and the results from this will be collated to try and pinpoint the specific areas in the village experiencing problems.

This information will then be taken to the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) to format a feasible response in conjunction with partners

Engagement

The next Neighbourhood Action Group meeting will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 15 April.

If you have any comments on the three priorities that you would like raised at the meeting, please contact PCSO Karen Taylor on 0845 8 505 505.

For further information or to find out what’s going on in your area visit the website at:

www.thamesvalley.police.uk

The Neighbourhood team will be holding a Surgery at the Memorial Hall, Upper Bucklebury, in conjunction with the Commons Clearing on Saturday 25 April from 1pm.

If you have a location you would like Karen to visit for a surgery or to give a talk, please give her a call on 0845 8 505 505