Southcote and Norcot

There has been a noticeable rise in theft offences targeting local businesses, particularly retail stores on the Bath Road in Southcote. Business owners and staff have reported feeling intimidated, with some incidents involving threats of violence. This trend is affecting livelihoods and eroding the sense of safety across the wider community.
Key Concerns:
• Repeated thefts from retail premises, often involving known offenders
• Intimidation and threatening behaviour towards staff and customers
• Declining business confidence and reduced footfall in affected areas
This issue is being prioritised for enforcement and community safety interventions in collaboration with local stakeholders.

In response to rising theft and intimidation affecting local businesses, the Neighbourhood Team has implemented a coordinated strategy to disrupt criminal activity and support the business community. Key actions include:
• Targeted enforcement: A dedicated day of action resulted in multiple arrests, including a prolific shoplifter now charged with several offences and banned from affected stores.
• Business engagement: Officers have met with local retailers to provide reassurance, strengthen partnerships, and establish clear reporting channels.
• Intelligence-led policing: Investigations are actively targeting individuals and organised groups believed to be behind coordinated retail theft and intimidation.
• Disruption of criminal networks: Significant quantities of Class A and B drugs, cash, and weapons have been seized. Illegal electric bikes and motorbikes linked to criminal activity have also been confiscated and destroyed.
• Tenancy enforcement: Police are working closely with Reading Borough Council to address tenancy issues involving those connected to criminal behaviour.
These actions reflect a robust, multi-agency approach to tackling retail crime, protecting local businesses, and dismantling wider gang-related operations affecting the community.
Officers are working closely with the stores in order to empower the staff and gather best evidence. A number of prolific offenders have been arrested and charged with offences.

Local residents have raised ongoing concerns about suspected drug dealing in Southcote, particularly concentrated around Coronation Square and the surrounding alleyways. The area has experienced a high volume of individuals coming and going, resulting in significant disruption and distress to the community. This activity has now started to move in to Prospect Park.

In response to reports of drug dealing and associated nuisance behaviour in Southcote and Prospect Park, the Neighbourhood Team has implemented a series of robust enforcement measures aimed at restoring safety and community confidence:
• Arrests and investigations: Multiple individuals have been arrested in connection with drug offences. Investigations are ongoing, and the area remains a priority for regular police patrols.
• Seizures of illegal substances: Significant quantities of Class A and B drugs have been recovered, alongside cash and weapons linked to criminal activity.
• Vehicle enforcement: Illegal electric bikes and motorbikes have been seized and destroyed to disrupt offender mobility and reduce anti-social behaviour.
• Tenancy interventions: Police are working in partnership with Reading Borough Council to address tenancy-related concerns and take appropriate action against those involved.
These actions reflect a coordinated and proactive approach to tackling serious crime and protecting public spaces for residents and park users.
The local team have executed a number of warrants at local addresses. They are also working with the council to enforce closure orders on addresses involved in Drug dealing and ASB.
We have had a number of action days in the area involving the off road police bikes and horses. Several warrants have been executed at problem addresses and we are working with the council to challenge tenancy breaches.

There has been a rise in reports of drug dealing and drug using in the roads and alleyways around Park house drive. The dealers are often arriving on illegal ebikes. Groups of drug users are congregating in the area and there have been reports of people defecating in the street and leaving drug paraphernalia.

Officers will be increasing patrols in the area and have planned some days of action in order to identify and deal with those involved. We will be bidding for the council mobile CCTV camera in order to deter this activity.