Statement following recent incidents in Slough

In response to recent acts of violence across Slough, Thames Valley Police and partners, including Slough Borough Council, are providing an update to communities to address the concerns of those within the town, as well as highlight the work being done to address violent crime locally.

We would like to first of all state that there is no identified wider risk to the public following these incidents. The investigation into each instance will be thorough as we relentlessly pursue the perpetrators. Communities can expect to see an increased police presence across Slough as we do this.

Whilst the initial response to incidents of serious violence are given the highest priority, work continues to take place with our partner agencies to tackle violence in the long term. Collectively, we are working to prevent these offences being committed in the first place.

We are proactively targeting those who are known to habitually carry knives and are identified as repeat offenders of serious violence, as part of Operation Cuba. The aim of this is to deter known persons from criminal activity using information and intelligence and, where offences are committed, ensure they are held accountable for crimes they commit.

As part of our work to actively pursue offenders, Operation Deter is in place across the town, which adopts a zero tolerance approach to knife possession offences in Slough for offenders aged 18 and over. The aim of the proactive scheme being that any knife possession offences are proactively charged and remanded to court by Thames Valley Police, while the suspect is still in custody. Following the charge, the custody sergeant will then take a more robust approach to bail. This forms a key part of our commitment to a zero tolerance for weapons and violence across Slough.

We also use intelligence and information to target key locations with increased patrols from officers. Information provided to us by communities is used to obtain and execute warrants as we seek to disrupt criminal activity and safeguard those who are vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.

We recognise that preventative and diversionary activity may not always work with individuals, and the police and partners will take more robust action to tackle offending when needed. This may include examples such as securing Criminal Behaviour Orders on conviction, which can place restrictions on those who perpetrate violence, including taking housing enforcement action.

Thames Valley Police, as part of the Safer Slough Partnership, aims to tackle violence as a priority and recognises the role that substance misuse plays as a key driver of violent crime. Through this, the programme Streetgames is funded which harnesses the power of sport to divert young people away from violent crime and exploitation.

Superintendent Lee Barnham, Local Policing Area Commander for Slough, said: “I recognise the impact these recent incidents will have on communities across the town. We are committed to ending violence in Slough and will arrest and prosecute anyone in possession of a weapon.

“As part of our measures to take action against these offences, the current Section 60 in place across the town has been extended for an additional 24 hours. This order enhances the existing powers officers hold, so they can stop and search anyone within the area for its duration.

“Our communities play a vital role in our efforts to proactively tackle violence within Slough. We need information about people carrying knives in the area. If anyone has information about knives or violence in Slough, please report it to us via 101, or by going online.

“Alternatively, you can provide information 100% anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.

“Police, partners and the public need to work as one in order to tackle violence and substance misuse across Slough.”