Your neighbourhood 

Katesgrove neighbourhood update

Update for December

Here is the latest neighbourhood update for the Katesgrove neighbourhood by Neighbourhood Specialist Officer (NSO) PC Stacy Bancroft:

The three priorities in the area are

1. Anti-social behaviour
2. Theft offences
3. Drugs

The Katesgrove Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) is currently looking at Anti-social behaviour across the area.  This month members of the NAG and the team met at the play area known locally as ‘the tank’ to identify if there was an issue with anti-social behaviour and ways in which this could be resolved.  

We also discussed ways in which the area could be improved, which the NAG will look into and determine if there are funds available for any improvements.  

Statistics from the Thames Valley Police website show that the average number of anti-social behaviour incidents in this area has decreased by 12.9 per cent. Between August and October last year we had an average of 44 incidents of this nature per month and during the same period this year that figure has fallen to 38.3.

Theft including burglary is the second priority for the area.  This month there has been 15 reported burglaries in the Katesgrove area.  In response to this we have increased patrols during the times the burglaries are occurring.  

I would also like to remind residents to double lock their doors and windows, do not let the opportunist take advantage of you.  

If you see anyone acting suspiciously please contact the police.  If you are concerned about your property please contact a member of the team and we can arrange for a home security survey to be completed.

We carried out an intelligence led drugs warrant at an address on Edgehill Street this month.  Although no drugs were found at the address we are sending out a clear message that drug dealing will not be tolerated and the team will take robust actions to disrupt this type of behaviour.

Environmental Issues -  

PCSO Rod Holmes was accompanied by London Irish mascot ‘Digger’ and pupils from Katesgrove Primary school on this month’s Environmental Visual Audit (EVA).  The EVA’s have been running for over a year now and it was noted that from when they first started the area has visibly improved.

The latest crime information on the Thames Valley Police website shows that the monthly average number of crimes in this area has decreased from 100.3 to 77.3, a reduction of 22.9% compared to the same three month period last year.

Partnership activity –

On bonfire night PCSO Rod Holmes conducted joint patrols around the Katesgrove area with the Reading Borough Council Street Wardens, looking at anti-social behaviour.  I am pleased to say that the area was generally quiet and we did receive any major complaints about anti-social behaviour.

Among the note-able arrests in the neighbourhood this month was a 40 year old man who was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting from Tesco Express and found to be in possession of Class A drugs, on November 10.  The man was charged and remanded to appear before Reading Magistrates’ Court.

We will be holding two police surgeries this month.  The first is at the Katesgrove Portakabin, Katesgrove Lane on Wednesday 2 December between 12 and 1pm, and a second surgery will be on Monday 21 December between 12 and 1pm at the Aveley Walk neighbourhood office.

The next street briefing will be on Saturday 12 December between 5 and 6 pm at the junction of Waterloo Road and Collis Street, not Sunday 13 December as previously advertised.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.  

Good news

PCSO Rod Holmes has been meeting with local businesses in the Katesgrove area to inform them about Project Griffin.  Project Griffin is an internationally acclaimed development tool for businesses to help protect their staff and local communities from terrorism.  Businesses are invited to an awareness day to learn about the project and a certificate of attendance will be provided for all those taking part.  If you are interested in finding out more about Project Griffin please contact a member of the team.

Non-priority activity.

We have been completing test purchase operations at various businesses across the area with trading standards.  We are really pleased that all bar one of the businesses passed the tests.

Planned activity

On Saturday 12 December we will be holding a cycle marking session at Kennet Island.  If you have any bicycles that you would like post coded head down to the Plaza between 2pm and 4pm.  This is an ideal opportunity to get any cycles marked that may be given as Christmas presents, thus making the bike easily identifiable should it get stolen in the future.