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Burghfield neighbourhood update

Update for May

Here is the latest neighbourhood update for Burghfield from Neighbourhood Specialist Officer, PC Perran Bateman

Crime figures for the area for January to March show that all crime has fallen by 16 per cent. This reflects the reduction in reported crimes from 78 to 66.

Crime statistics that show the number of crimes per 1000 people have fallen in March. There have been 23 incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) reported in February. This is below the annual average of 31 incidents per month. There were 25 reported incidents of ASB in March and 68 in the last quarter.  The team have not had to seize any alcohol this month which is very encouraging.

This month James Callender, aged 20 from Hatford Court, Reading has been charged with criminal damage and assault.

Our number one priority is speeding in Burghfield Common and Beech Hill. The team used the Speed Indicator Device (SID) in both Burghfield and Beech Hill this month and quite a number of high speeds were recorded as part of the West Berkshire Council pilot scheme‘Community Speed Watch’. This scheme focuses on driver education as research indicates that enforcement alone is not enough to stop people speeding. Roadside speed monitoring equipment is used and offending motorists will receive a warning letter.

The Community Speed Watch initiatve starts on Tuesday 18  May in Burghfield Common and will be used throughout the area.

Our second priority is burglaries to out-buildings, sheds and gargages (non-dwellings) however we have seen a marked reduction and as a result the Neighbourhood Action Group has decided to close this priority.  

The neighbourhood team conducted a street briefing in Stephens Firs, Mortimer and were accompanied by two members of the Sovereign Housing Team, we spoke to around 30 residents and received some very useful information.

On Wednesday 7 April We attended a residents meeting at The Bantam to discuss the new development in Hunters Hill/Omers Rise. This meeting was also attended by Sovereign South and West management team. The neighbourhood team detailed the local policing support available to this area and answered questions from residents.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Steve Innes attended the Stratfield Mortimer Parish annual meeting on Wednesday 21 April and presented an update on local policing activity to an audience of 40 local parishoners.

He also attended Mortimer Cubs and Scouts to provide information on crime prevention to assist the scouts in achieving their Crime Reduction Badge. He will be returning to present the badges to the succesful candidates next month.

Our next ‘have your say’ opportunities will be held on the following dates:

On Sunday 9 May the team will be at Burghfield May Fayre at The Hatch, Burghfield Village, come along and meet PC Perran Bateman and PCSO Robert Hubbard-Clarke.

Thursday 20 May at 7pm we will be attending the Sulhamstead Parish annual meeting at the Sun Village Hall, this meeting is open to the public so please do come along if you have any issues or concerns you would like to raise.

On Thursday 24 June from 10.30am onwards we will be at Age Concern in Little Manor Garden, Burghfield.

On Wednesday 14 July 9am-12pm we will be giving a presentation to pupils at St Marys School entitled ‘Police are positive friends’

On Saturday 3 July from 9.30am we will be attending the Mortimer Fun Day.

As of June public consultations will take place every six weeks on a Saturday. The team will visit various locations and meet the public at shops, and village halls etc, dates and venues will be published nearer the time.

Lastly we recover a considerable amount of lost and stolen property each month but unfortunately the majority of this is not marked or identifiable. A list of these items has been posted on our external notice board outside the Mortimer police office. Please remember to check this if you have recently lost property. The station is open to the public Friday mornings to view property or you contact the team via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505 to make an appointment.

For more information about your local neighbourhood visit the Thames Valley Police website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk