Your neighbourhood 

Burghfield neighbourhood update

Update for June

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

Crime figures for the area from February to April show that crime has fallen by 18 per from 76 reported incidents to 62. The average number of reported crimes a month is 89 based on figures over the last 12 months. However the number of reported crimes this April is 55 which is 38 per cent reduction compared to the previous monthly average.

Crime statistics that show number of crimes per 1000 people has indicated a decline for the second consecutive month. There have been 31 incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) reported in the month of April. There were 25 reports of ASB in March and 76 in the last quarter. The team have not had to make any alcohol seizures this month.

This month a 29-year-old woman from Burghfield received an adult caution for affray.

Two young people from Burghfield Common were arrested for criminal damage to the Pavilion on the recreational ground in Burghfield Common on Wednesday 31 March.  

Our neighbourhood priorities are speeding in Burghfield Common, and Beech Hill.

On Tuesday 18 May ‘Community Speed Watch’ went live on the Reading Road in Burghfield Common and on Wednesday 19 in Beech Hill and Wokefield this was carried out by myself and the road safety team from West Berkshire Council (WBC) who supplied the equipment.

In the first three days of the scheme 234 motorists were caught speeding in these three areas and letters will be sent to the offending motorists. Speeds of over 50 mph in a 30 mph zone were recorded, this will not be tolerated and those that continue to drive at these excessive speeds will be dealt with.

The neighbourhood team is currently working with the Thames Valley Probation Service to arrange unpaid work opportunities to offenders who have been sentenced by the courts. A number of projects have been identified in Mortimer and Sulhamstead parishes where the team can assist with improving the village environments.

The next ‘have your say’ opportunities will be held on:

Saturday 14 August we will outside the Co-op in Burghfield Common from 10am

Saturday 19 September we will be at Budgens in Mortimer from 10am

These meetings are an opportunity to raise any issues or concerns you have in the area, so please come along and meet the team.

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

The team will be attending Mortimer Fun Day on Saturday 3 July from 9.30am so come along and meet the local team. We will also be at Sulhamstead Fayre in Hannington Field on Saturday 17 July from 10am.

We will be doing a presentation to St Marys School on Wednesday 14 July, entitled ‘police are positive friends’ this focuses on informing the children of the work that the local neighbourhood team does in the community.

We are still seeking volunteers to staff the front desk at the Mortimer neighbourhood police office. Volunteers will be given full training and be expected to work a four hour shift twice a month. If you are interested please contact a member of the team via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505 for an application form.

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