Your neighbourhood 

Caversham West neighbourhood update

Update for June

Here is the latest update for the Caversham North and West neighbourhoods, by Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Rob Dunford:

The latest crime figures show a mixed picture for Upper Caversham this quarter. Figures for February to April 2010 display an overall drop of 2.7 per cent in Caversham North, but an increase of 17.7 per cent for Caversham West, when compared to the same period last year.  Closer examination of the figures reveal burglary in the West is up significantly compared to last year.  This emphasises the importance of our residents exercising caution and vigilance day to day – if you see someone acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood, please call us on 0845 8 505 505 (non-emergency) or 999 in an emergency.

 

Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)

The Upper Caversham NAG met again on the 18 May, and received an input from Sandy Nicholson (of the Local Policing team at Thames Valley HQ) regarding problem solving techniques and processes for dealing with crime.  One method discussed was the Problem Analysis Triangle, which identifies three key elements to any crime.  Problem solvers are encouraged to try and fix one or more of these elements, thereby removing the possibility for a crime to occur.

Currently the NAG is focusing on using this kind of approach to tackle burglary and speeding in the Upper Caversham neighbourhoods.  The next NAG meetings are at the following dates and times:

Tuesday 20 July - 6.30-8pm at Highdown School

Tuesday 21 September - 6.30-8pm (venue TBC)

Tues 16 November - 6.30-8pm (venue TBC)

The NAG will probably produce its own newsletter in time and full details can be found on the website www.uknags.org (opens new window) (click on Find a NAG and select Upper Caversham).  If you are a local resident and are interested in attending future NAG meetings, please contact Insp Penny Mackenzie at penny.mackenzie@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or via 0845 8 505 505.

Priority 1 - Road Traffic Issues

Traffic is always an issue of concern in Caversham, and in particular this month PCSOs have been called to a number of parking obstructions.  We would like to remind our residents that it is an offence to cause the ‘unnecessary obstruction’ of a road access, such as by parking across a drop-kerb or driveway.  If you cause such an obstruction, your vehicle is liable to be towed, so we would recommend that great care is taken when parking outside residential or business properties in Caversham.

We would also like to remind our drivers that Thames Valley Police takes a firm stance against the use of mobile phones while driving.  There is no excuse for using a phone or similar device at the wheel, and if you are caught doing so you will be liable for three points on your driving license and a £60 on-the-spot fine - a hands free kit will cost you a lot less, and help keep those around you much safer.

Priority 2 - Burglary

Burglary stats for the February - April period offer a mixed picture of burglary in the Upper Caversham neighbourhoods again, with a significant rise for the west and a sharply contrasting drop for the north. Burglary remains a priority issue in Caversham, and the team is always keen to raise awareness of the issue among local residents, particularly at events such as the street briefings held at Westdene Close and Bell Court this month.

In recent weeks the team has attended a number of shed breaks, particularly where bicycles have been stolen.  We would like to remind residents that outbuildings are rarely as secure as your house, so please consider carefully what property you choose to keep within them.  Anything you store in a shed should ideally be locked away and property marked, as these steps make your property much harder for criminals to take and sell on.

If you are worried about the risk of being burgled, the Caversham team is trained to provide crime reduction advice and is always willing to do a free home security survey with you.  Simply call us on 0845 8 505 505, and you can arrange for a member of the team to visit at your convenience.

If you would like to know more about burglary reduction tips, contact us or visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk.

Priority 3 - Environmental Issues

This month we have continued to receive reports from residents in the area of Bug’s Bottom (the grassy areas between Hunters Chase and Tredegar Road) that groups of people are lighting fires, discarding rubbish and making noise late into the night.  The neighbourhood team has made Bug’s Bottom a regular stop on our patrol plan, and have disrupted several such groups.  Please help us stop people from abusing this scenic part of Caversham by logging all disturbances with Thames Valley Police.

PC Michelle Clements, Neighbourhood Specialist Officer for Upper Caversham, has also asked that residents familiarise themselves with the legal issues surrounding trees and bushes on shared boundaries:  

“The law states that branches overhanging your boundary can be trimmed in a vertical line with your boundary. The neighbour owning the tree/shrub should be advised of your intended action before work commences. You must not lean over into your neighbours’ property and trim branches - this could be construed as trespass.

It is the duty of the person cutting branches to dispose of the waste, but you must ask the owner of the tree/shrub if they would like them returned first. Disposal without first offering them back to the owner could result in a theft charge.

Trimming a plant should be just that, cutting or felling a plant to the point where it dies could result in a criminal damage charge.”

If you have concerns about environmental issues in your area (e.g. litter, graffiti), either contact Reading Borough Council’s Street Care team via 01189 373737 or call us on 0845 8 505 505 and we can arrange an Environmental Visual Audit to assess the extent of the problem.

More From Your Team

April saw Ch Supt Chris Shead take charge of the Berkshire West Basic Command Unit. In May Ch Supt Shead visited Caversham to meet the neighbourhood team and share his vision for the future of policing.  Ch Supt Shead requires officers to conduct high quality investigations and that we to improve public confidence in the police by providing the best possible customer service to the people of Berkshire West.

As part of our ongoing commitment to fighting burglary in Caversham, the neighbourhood team have this month taken the opportunity to trial a high-tech counter measure in Mayfield Drive in collaboration with the local Neighbourhood Watch.  Following a street briefing where residents expressed great enthusiasm for the trial, PCSO Chloë Denny and I have been working closely with Neighbourhood Watch coordinators to distribute SelectaDNA packs around the road.  SelectaDNA is a property marking technology which you can read more about at http://www.selectadna.co.uk/.  

Concerns have recently been raised to the Caversham team regarding the recently installed park facilities in the recreation ground on Grove Road/ Kidmore End Road.  There have been a number of complaints concerning anti social use of the equipment by groups of young people, who have been heard screaming and shouting late at night.  This was discussed at the recent ASBAG (Anti Social Behaviour Action Group) and a meeting is due to be arranged between residents, police and partner agencies to discuss solutions.

May saw PC Debbie Smith return to the River Thames, in partnership with the Environment Agency, to deal with a number of problem boats.  Numerous residents have raised concerns over those illegally mooring along the river, and these individuals have now had notices served that court action will be taken against them.  PC Smith has also taken the lead in dealing with several known beggars who have been seen in St Martin’s Precinct recently.  We would like to remind residents not to give these individuals money, as this could be used to buy drugs.  If you want to help the homeless, please donate to charities like St Mungo’s

We have for a number of months had new officers attached to us for eight week periods to learn about local policing.  PC Nick Chester has now left Caversham to join the Newbury shift, where his hard work and sense of humour will no doubt be welcomed.  

Community News

Representatives from the police and council carried out an Environmental Visual Audit of the area around Scott Close, looking at issues such as road surfaces, drainage and the maintenance of land.  If you have concerns about environmental issues in your area (e.g. litter, graffiti), contact us and we can arrange EVAs to assess the problem.

Offences dealt with this month in Upper Caversham included:

• A 31 year-old man was cautioned for actual bodily harm.
• An 18 year-old woman who received an Adult Restorative Disposal for theft.
• An 18 year-old man who was issued a formal cannabis warning for possession.
• Two men have been charged with theft of lead from an industrial site in Caversham. Edgar Ribeiro Pinto Moura, aged 29, from Bedford Road, Reading, and Edwin Sandy, aged 32, from Mason Street, Reading, were both charged with one count of theft. Both men have been released on police bail to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 8 June

Got a concern you want to discuss?  You can talk to a member of the team about it at one of our ‘Have Your Say’ meetings:

15/06/10 Knighton Close

25/06/10 Langford Close

07/07/10 Gurney Close

08/07/10 Upingham Gardens

19/07/10 Badgers Rise

20/07/10 Gayhurst

27/07/10 Fernbrook Road

28/07/10 Gorselands

29/07/10 Wrenfield Drive

07/08/10 Orchard Grove

08/08/10 Kelmscott Close

09/08/10 Tenby Avenue

09/08/10 Corfe Mews

Time: 1930

Contact: PC Michelle Clements