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 concerns regarding suspected drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour within the residential area, causing nuisance and concerns for community safety. The issue has had a negative impact on local residents and remains a recurring community concern.

A Closure Order was successfully obtained for the address linked to the reported activity. Targeted NHPT patrols have been conducted to deter further offending, provide reassurance to residents, and gather intelligence. Ongoing partnership work is also taking place with Reading Borough Council to address the underlying issues and support longer-term problem-solving within the area.

Community concern regarding the use of Sur-Rons and e-bikes on towpaths and in play parks. Intelligence suggests some riders are using these locations to facilitate drug dealing, causing ASB, public safety risks and concern for local residents, particularly children and families using the areas. There are groups of drug users gathering in the area and leaving drug paraphernalia

Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams increased high-visibility and targeted patrols at identified hotspot locations, including towpaths and play parks. This resulted in a number of illegally used e-bikes/Sur-Rons being seized and destroyed, alongside the arrest and charge of individuals involved in suspected drug dealing. Ongoing enforcement and intelligence-led activity continues to disrupt criminality and address community concerns. Following an operation last week a surron was seized and a male arrested in possession of a large amount of class A drugs.