Here is the latest Twyford/Ruscombe, Sonning/Charvil/Hurst and Wargrave/Remenham neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Nicola Shepherd:
There has been an increase in burglaries in the last month mainly concentrated in Twyford. There have been seven burglaries and attempted burglaries in Twyford, one in Hurst and two in Wargrave. Point of entry is usually at the rear of the property through a window by smashing it, or by forcing the lock on patio and back doors. I urge residents to make sure that your windows and doors are all locked and secure, ensuring that the key is not left in the lock or within view. If you are to leave the house empty I would suggest making the house appear occupied by leaving a light, radio or TV switched on.
Thames Valley Police is warning people to be vigilant to thieves posing as police officers after an incident in Wargrave on Wednesday 17 February, and three other similar incidents in the Thames Valley area on the same evening.
The incident happened shortly before 11.30pm at an address in Victoria Road, Wargrave, when three men forced their way into a property and claimed to be police officers there about a dead cat.
One of the men then detained the 81-year-old man and his 69-year-old wife in their living room, while two other man searched the house.
The men left with nothing after doing a messy search, both victims were unhurt but badly shaken.
We urge people to be vigilant to this type of crime and never let anyone in your home without first verifying who they are. A legitimate police officer will not mind waiting while you check. You can do this by asking to see their photo identification and calling 0845 8 505 505 to verify this.
This month has had very few reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in all areas. We have increased our patrols around Twyford Railway Station, Pennfields estate, Hurst, Wargrave and East Farm Park. However the team have received reports of youths riding motorbikes around Pennfields estate, Twyford. We have increased patrols and spoke to those concerned. In addition to regular neighbourhood patrols police are still running Operation Lion Cub across the Wokingham area which runs every Friday and Saturday night. This operation has been very successful and levels of ASB have decreased in general. If you are a victim of repeated ASB and would like to talk with one of your neighbourhood police, please contact us on 0845 8 505 505.
The neighbourhood team are responding to residents concerns of ASB involving mopeds driving on pavements by increasing patrols and gathering intelligence from local businesses in the Longfield Road, Twyford.
A 15-year-old girl from Pennfields, Twyford was charged this month under Section 5 Public Order Act 1986 for an offence which occurred on 8 December 2009. She attended Maidenhead Youth Court on 25 February. This relates to incidents in Pennfields, Twyford.
On the evening of Tuesday 16 February two men were arrested by police after a short car and foot pursuit in the Sonning area. After an extensive search involving the police helicopter two 25 year-old men from Reading, and Theale, were arrested for drug possession (class B and A), driving offences. They are on bail until 2 April.
There has been an increase in thefts from cars and thefts of number plates across the Wokingham area. There have been seven reported cases of car crime across the Twyford area and two thefts from motor vehicles in Hurst. Number plates have also been stolen from a car in Charvil and we have had vandalism caused to a car in Wargrave. Car parks, including Waitrose and residential areas are being targeted, so we advise that people make sure their cars are empty of all belongings when parked at home or away. There are products for sale in most car and bike shops which are designed to keep your number plate more secure. The cheaper option is security screws which come with caps and adhesive, these are easily fitted and most shops will fit them for you. There is also a type of number plate, the ‘secureplate’ that once fitted to the car cannot be removed without destroying the number plate.
We continue to patrol and issue tickets where parking is a problem, whether it is double yellow lines, residents parking only or obstructive parking. Most parking issues are concentrated within Twyford. Areas of concern are Station Road, Wargrave Road, The Grove, Hurst Road and parking outside the shops along London Road. I would like to remind drivers that it is a non stop/drop off zone outside the shops along London Road Twyford. These are busy residential roads and inconsiderate parking causes congestion, danger to pedestrians and lack of space for the residents.
There are also parking issues in Wargrave, drivers dropping children off to school and working within Wargrave. While we will enforce where necessary we will also use our discretion in how we deal with the problem i.e. by giving words of advice to the registered owner. Could I please ask all local residents and businesses to ensure that visitors to their premises please park in a considerate manner that will not cause an inconvenience to other people?
The neighbourhood team is still involved in the Empty Car Campaign which also involves Community Wardens and Wokingham Borough Council car employees and volunteers. We have been patrolling car crime hot spots and checking vehicles for personal belongings on display. We will also be giving out Empty Car Campaign posters to local Public Houses.
We have conducted speed indication surveys using the SID (speed indication device) across Twyford, Ruscombe and Remenham. SID work was conducted along Ruscombe Road and six cars were going over the speed limit. Letters will be sent to the owners of these vehicles to make them aware of their speed. There were no vehicles in excess of the speed limit along Remenham Lane, Remenham at the time the SID work was conducted. Our next SID is planned to be conducted in Hurst and Twyford.
At the beginning of the month we had a school talk at Polehampton Infant School with PC Eke, Schools Liaison Officer and PCSO Nicola Shepherd. It was a ‘safe and sound’ talk with year six and was well received by school and pupils.
We held a Pub watch meeting at the Wee Waif where the Empty Car campaign was discussed. Following the meeting we visited all public houses that attended the pub watch and handed out the empty car campaign posters.
PCSO Jackie Daniels and PC Terry Neblett attended the Remenham Parish Council meeting on the 8th February to discuss the speeding issues along Remenham Lane.
PCSO Chalmers attended Hurst Parish Council meeting where she responded to residents concerns regarding recent criminal activity in the area.
PCSO Anne Chalmers has been visiting the primary schools in the Hurst area, talking to staff and children whilst performing foot patrol at school collection times.
During the month we worked in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council Community Wardens. PCSO Chalmers and community wardens were able to identify general litter which has subsequently been removed by Wokingham Borough Council.
Details for further meetings:
* 4 March Police Surgery, Sheeplands Garden Centre, Hare Hatch 10am-12pm
* 5 March Police surgery, Recreation Ground, Recreation Road, Wargrave 10am-12pm
* 13 March Have your say, Twyford library 10.30am-11.30am
* 27 February Waitrose Twyford Crime reduction day 3pm – 5pm.
* Wargrave and Twyford, Closed Neighbourhood Action Group meeting Piggott School early March.
Good news stories:
The team would like to thank PC Sarah Bartlett for all her hard work and enthusiasm during her short stay at Twyford Neighbourhood Team.
PCSO Anne Chalmers and PCSO Nicola Shepherd have a ‘Safe and Sound’ school talk lined up for Dolphin School on 9 March. We also have ‘Safe and Sound’ talks lined up with local Guides groups in Sonning and Twyford and will be greatly looking forward to them.
PCSO Shepherd has been making contact with the local Age concern and Bridge House. Also popping in on residents that have had recent burglaries to make sure that they are alright and getting the necessary aftercare.
PCSO Jackie Daniels is working with the family affected by the recent distraction burglary in Wargrave and has the Age concern handyman on board to help.
Sonning village are starting to prepare for their by-annual scarecrow event which will be held on May bank holiday (30-31). We will be looking forward to the event as we know it will be enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the village.
PCSO Chalmers is planning to conduct SID work in Hurst next month. And PCSO Shepherd is planning to conduct SID work along London Road, Twyford next month.
You can contact your neighbourhood policing team by calling 0845 8 505 505 or by visiting www.thamesvalley.police.uk and following the neighbourhood policing links.
Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford