Thatcham

The Thatcham Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to receive reports of anti-social behaviour involving cars and motorcycles at Henwick Worthy Sports Field, particularly within and around the sports field car park and surrounding roads.

Concerns raised by residents and members of the public include excessive noise, dangerous or inconsiderate driving, vehicle-related nuisance and behaviour causing alarm, distress or annoyance to others. Such activity impacts the enjoyment of the area by legitimate users and affects the quality of life of nearby residents.

Whilst reports indicate that anti-social behaviour at this location has reduced compared to previous periods, concerns remain, particularly during the summer months when increased use of the area naturally attracts larger numbers of visitors and vehicles. The Neighbourhood Policing Team remains committed to maintaining this positive trend and addressing any emerging issues promptly.

The Thatcham Neighbourhood Policing Team has continued to conduct high-visibility patrols and targeted enforcement activity at Henwick Worthy Sports Field and surrounding locations in response to concerns raised by the local community. Patrols have been carried out at varying times to identify those responsible, gather intelligence and deter further incidents.

Officers have successfully identified and engaged with a number of riders and drivers linked to vehicle-related anti-social behaviour. Where appropriate, Section 59 warning notices have been issued and positive interventions undertaken to address offending behaviour and prevent escalation.

The team continues to monitor changes in legislation relating to vehicle-related anti-social behaviour. Recent legislative changes have strengthened enforcement options available to officers, allowing vehicles involved in qualifying anti-social use to be seized immediately where the relevant criteria are met, without the requirement for a prior warning. This provides an enhanced ability to deal robustly with persistent offenders and those causing significant community nuisance.

A number of policing operations have been conducted, and further operations are planned, to tackle vehicle-related anti-social behaviour and improve compliance within the area. Regular monitoring will continue alongside engagement with residents and partner agencies to ensure that the current reduction in reported incidents is maintained and that Henwick Worthy Sports Field remains a safe and welcoming environment for all users.

The Thatcham Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to receive reports and intelligence relating to suspected drug-related activity across the town. Concerns remain focused on residential areas, open spaces and other locations identified through community reporting and police intelligence.

Drug-related offending continues to have a significant impact on the wider community, contributing to anti-social behaviour, exploitation, safeguarding concerns and wider criminality. Intelligence indicates that those involved in drug offending are often linked to the unlawful use of E-bikes and E-scooters to facilitate criminal activity and evade detection. The Neighbourhood Policing Team remains committed to disrupting those involved, protecting vulnerable individuals and working with partner agencies to reduce harm.

The Thatcham Neighbourhood Policing Team has continued to conduct high-visibility patrols, plain-clothes operations and intelligence-led deployments in response to reports of drug-related activity within the community. Officers have also undertaken bicycle patrols to access locations less accessible to police vehicles and to provide an enhanced capability to tackle offenders using E-bikes and E-scooters.

Officers have continued to gather and develop intelligence, conduct stop searches where lawful grounds exist and pursue enforcement opportunities against those suspected of involvement in the use and supply of controlled drugs. This activity has resulted in positive stop searches, the seizure of controlled drugs and the seizure of vehicles where offences have been identified.

The team continues to work closely with the Force Intelligence Hub, proactive policing teams, West Berkshire Council and outreach partners to identify individuals at risk of exploitation or repeat offending. Where appropriate, referrals are made to partner agencies to provide support, intervention and diversion opportunities aimed at preventing future offending and reducing harm within the community.

The team will continue to review intelligence, reported incidents and community concerns to ensure policing activity remains focused on reducing drug-related harm, disrupting offenders and improving community safety throughout Thatcham.

The Thatcham Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to work with local retailers and partner agencies to address recurring shoplifting offences across the town. Intelligence and crime reports indicate that a number of repeat offenders remain responsible for a disproportionate level of retail crime, often targeting multiple stores over prolonged periods.

The impact of shoplifting extends beyond financial loss, affecting staff welfare, customer confidence and perceptions of safety within the local community. The Neighbourhood Policing Team remains committed to identifying offenders, securing evidence and pursuing appropriate enforcement opportunities to reduce offending and support local businesses.

The Thatcham Neighbourhood Policing Team has continued to work closely with local retailers, security staff and partner agencies to identify and target those responsible for repeat shoplifting offences. Officers regularly review CCTV footage, witness accounts, crime reports and intelligence submissions to support investigations and build evidential packages against identified offenders.

Where offenders have been identified, enforcement action has been pursued, including arrests, voluntary interviews, community resolutions and preparation of case files for charging decisions where appropriate. Recent activity has resulted in the arrest of a number of prolific offenders responsible for a significant proportion of retail crime within the town. The team continues to focus resources on those individuals responsible for causing the greatest level of harm and repeat victimisation within the retail environment.

Officers have also continued to explore preventative measures and longer-term interventions, including the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) to place restrictions on persistent offenders and reduce opportunities for further offending. Work is currently ongoing with partner agencies and the courts to pursue appropriate CBO applications against repeat offenders identified through local policing activity.

Engagement with local businesses remains ongoing to ensure information and intelligence are shared effectively, emerging concerns are identified promptly and positive action is taken to reduce retail crime and improve confidence within the business community. Through continued enforcement, offender management and partnership working, the team remains committed to reducing shoplifting and supporting retailers across Thatcham.