Twyford

Here is the latest Twyford/Ruscombe, Sonning/Charvil/Hurst and Wargrave/Remenham neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Jackie Daniels:

It has been a busy month for the neighbourhood team, especially as the snow caused some problems. Working in snowy conditions did bring its problems with getting around but as normal the neighbourhood team worked well together to get around the issues of the snow and ice.

The team would like to welcome PC Sarah Bartlett on her Neighbourhood Attachment with us before she joins the response team at Loddon Valley in February.

There have been two burglaries reported in the area of Wargrave and Remenham, both properties were empty due to the householders being away on holiday over the Christmas period. Properties targeted are usually empty - residents have been out for the evening or are on holiday leaving their homes looking dark and empty. I encourage residents to make their homes appear occupied when they are not in by, for example, leaving a light and TV on or investing in internal timer switches.

If you are not at home – take steps to make it look as if you are. Ask a friend or neighbour to park on your drive, use timer switches on lights and radios. Cancel any usual deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to push any mail delivered through the letter box and pop in daily to draw your curtains.

Incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) cause concern for the community but due to the recent bad weather reports of ASB have reduced apart from the throwing of snowballs.

A resident of Hillands in Wargrave reported youths on a garage roof on News Years Eve, but on officers attendance the youths had dispersed.

The neighbourhood teams across the local police area are involved in Operation Lion Cub. The operation has dedicated officers to deal effectively with unruly behaviour on Friday and Saturday evenings. More information on Operation Lion Cub visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk/lioncub

Unfortunately we had to issue a number of £30 Fixed Penalty Notices on vehicles parked in dangerous positions (e.g. junctions and double yellow lines) in Wargrave this week. I would like to remind drivers that the Highway Code and common sense must be adhered to.

We have identified that theft from vehicles is becoming a concerning issue. The neighbourhood team has identified that many of the thefts from vehicles occur from pub and restaurant car parks, with vehicles windows being smashed and items then removed.

These crimes are not just isolated to pubs and restaurants but also in residential areas of our community for example a parent on the school run had her handbag taken from under the drivers’ seat whilst she was parked outside Crazies Hill Infant School.

The neighbourhood team are now involved in the Empty Car Campaign, which involves all the neighbourhood team, community wardens and Wokingham Borough Council car park employees. It involves parked vehicles being checked and if found to be displaying items in the vehicle, the vehicles details will be taken down and the registered owner of the vehicle will be written to and given some advice.

If members of the public see any suspicious activity around a vehicle, such as a person checking if doors are open or looking into car windows, please contact the police immediately.

Unfortunately the team have not had the opportunity to use Speed indication device (SID) as much as planned due to the adverse weather conditions, however please be assured your concerns regarding speeding hot spots across the northern parishes are being acted upon. If there are any locations that you feel need this attention please contact the neighbourhood team.

Whilst out on patrol I have noticed that drivers are still flouting the law regarding the use of mobile phones whilst driving. Even more worrying and dangerous is this has been happening in the adverse weather conditions, with a high number of vehicles having young children as passengers – once again I am asking for common sense to be used. The only permitted use of a mobile phone while driving is using a hands free kit. Even that will be unlawful if you allow a call/text etc. to distract you whilst driving. With or without hands free, if you are driving badly, you can also be prosecuted for careless driving or dangerous driving which carry much higher penalties. If you kill someone in an accident caused by phoning or texting etc. you can expect a lengthy sentence of imprisonment (e.g. up to 7 years for phoning and worse if you are texting). The fixed penalty for driving whilst using a hand held mobile phone is a £60 fine and three penalty points.

On 15 January a fixed penalty notice for £80 for Section 5 Public Order was handed out to a 17-year-old-old boy who was shouting and swearing in the street. This was issued under the Operation Lion Cub neighbourhood policing initiative which is aimed at ASB.

On 16 January a group of youths were stop checked and as a result alcohol was seized from their possession in relation to a crack down on under age drinking.

In the early hours of 17 January a car with four occupants was seen and stopped in Reading Cricket and Hockey Club. The males and the car were searched under Section 23 of the Misuse Use of Drugs Act but no drugs were found

Toby Day, a 34-year-old man from School Road, Hurst, was charged with the offences of assault and affray on 12 January. He was remanded in custody and appeared at East Berkshire Magistrates court on 20 January and was released on court bail until 10 March.

Two cars were issued with Anti-Social Behaviour Section 59 warnings relating to a careless and inconsiderate driving incident in Waitrose Car Park, Twyford during the recent bad weather conditions.

In response to concerns from local residents and businesses in The Grove I have issued £30 Fixed Penalty Notices and have liaised with some of the local businesses along the London Road who said that The Grove gets so full of cars that the delivery Lorries can not fit down and deliver goods to the shops via the service road which in turn is affecting their businesses.

In response to complaints about the local businesses using residents parking all day and not leaving enough room for the residents, I have spoken to the local businesses to work toward a resolution.

Due to the recent adverse weather conditions we have been checking on an elderly residents in the area of Orchard Estate to make sure they are OK. If everyone could check on elderly neighbours during the cold spell in particular it would be appreciated.

On the 16 January PCSO Nicola Shepherd attended a public meeting with SGT Mark Smith and Parish Councillors Scott Clark and David Hymers, in Twyford library. One complaint was received from a local resident about school parking issues at Colleton School along Colleton Drive, she said that the school has changed the time that parents can drop off their children from 8.30am – 8.45am to just 8.45am otherwise they will have to pay £3. She was concerned that this will cause more parking issues as everyone will be dropping off at the same time, I will liaise with Colleton School and discuss this concern.

PCSO Shepherd arranged a school talk with Polehampton Junior School on 1 February with PC Les Eke, our Schools Officer.

PCSO Anne Chalmers was called to a group of youths causing a disturbance outside an Indian Restaurant in the High Street, Twyford. She asked the youths sweep up the snow balls they had thrown and apologise to the staff and customers of the restaurant.

We have received reports of vehicles being driven in an anti-social manner. PC Bartlett, PC Butler and PCSO Chalmers have issued warnings to the registered owners of one car and one moped. The Neighbourhood Police team will continue to monitor and respond to reports of anti social behaviour involving vehicles.

We have received a report of possible drug taking activity in East Park Farm, Charvil. Hypodermic needles and other paraphernalia have been found by the Wokingham Borough Council community wardens. In addition to our regular patrols of the area, PCSO Anne Chalmers is working closely with Wokingham Borough Council Community Wardens, conducting joint patrols and environmental audits. If any residents have any information, would they please contact their Neighbourhood policing team on 0845 8 505 505

I’m sure we were all taken by surprise when the snow fell so deeply, even more surprised by how long it stayed. I’d just like to pass on my thanks and gratitude to all the neighbours who went out of their way to help each other out, in particular the residents of Little Glebe in Sonning; I witnessed a real heart warming community spirit

Speeding and car crime remain the top priorities for the neighbourhood team. We are regularly conducting speed surveys using the speed indication device (SID). This month PCSO Anne Chalmers and PCSO Jackie Daniels conducted speed surveys using the SID on Hinton Road, Hurst. Any identified individuals travelling in excess of 30mph will be contacted by the Neighbourhood Police Team. The results of the survey will also be passed to our Traffic Police Team.

PCSO Anne Chalmers and PCSO Jackie Daniels held a Police Street Briefing in the Hurst Village Hall Car Park, We fully appreciate that, at this time of year residents may not want to stand out in the cold. I’m currently working to establish a regular inside venue of our police meetings, - the dates, times and location of these meetings will be published on our web page, please come along and meet us.

A resident of London Road, Twyford stopped PCSO Nicola Shepherd and PCSO Anne Chalmers at Waitrose in Twyford and gave feedback that ASB has been significantly reduced over the last ten months on Jubilee Corner and she wanted to pass on her thanks to the neighbourhood team.

Police Surgeries:

4 March 10am – midday - Coffee Shop Hare Hatch Sheeplands Garden Centre

5 March 10am – midday - Recreation Ground, Recreation Road, Wargrave

You can contact your neighbourhood policing team by calling 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Thames Valley Police officers have arrested a man in connection with a robbery at Hurst Stores, Twyford on Thursday (28/1).

A 34-year-old man from Reading was arrested at 5.30pm on 28 January on suspicion of robbery. He has been released on police bail until 26 February.

Anyone with information about robbery or any other crime should call the Twyford neighbourhood policing team, via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don’t want to talk to police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

One of the rarest birds in Britain is currently putting in an appearance at Wokingham Borough Council’s Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst.

This stocky member of the heron family is a secretive bird. Its brown patterned plumage makes it very well camouflaged and normally difficult to spot in the reed beds it feeds in.

“It is the bittern’s dependence on reed beds which makes it a red list species and one of the most threatened birds in the UK” said countryside officer Simon Bartlam.

However, at Hurst Dinton Pastures these elusive birds are being spotted regularly as they drop into the reed beds at dusk. Fraser Cottington, from Friends of Lavells Lake and a keen bird watcher, said: “They seem to mostly come in from along the River Loddon, but do a lot of circling, landing in the tree tops above the Loddon and generally putting on an amazing show before coming in to roost in the reeds around White Swan Lake. This is probably the only site in Britain where you are practically guaranteed to see a bittern at each visit and up to three can regularly be seen at a time”.

Bitterns like to spend the winter in patches of reeds with a good food supply of fish, eels, frogs and insects. At Dinton Pastures, Hurst the borough council’s countryside service has been extending the reed beds on White Swan Lake and Lavell’s Lake. Thanks to this extension of habitat, the country park has become a regular site for bitterns to spend the winter. During the recent cold snap the lakes were frozen and there were worries that the bitterns would have problems feeding on fish, frogs and insects, so roach, sprats and eels were thrown into the reeds to help them out!

“We are very pleased these fabulous birds approve of our habitat management and we hope they continue to be a regular feature of winters here for many years to come” added Simon Bartlam.

Wokingham Borough Council ~ Hurst

The Twyford neighbourhood policing team wants residents to have their say about any issues in the area.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Jackie Daniels is holding the following police surgeries in March:

4 March, 10am to 12pm at the coffee shop Hare Hatch, Sheeplands Garden Centre

5 March 10am to 12pm at the recreation ground, Recreation Road, Wargrave

Jackie said: “We want to hear what issues the residents have in their neighbourhood and this is the ideal opportunity for them to come along and raise any concerns with the team.

“We look forward to meeting as many people as possible on the day.”

The Twyford neighbourhood policing team can be contacted on 0845 8 505 505

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

As well as tackling the top three priorities, the neighbourhood policing team in Twyford and the northern parishes of Wokingham Local Policing Area (LPA) made a number of arrests in January.

On 15 January, a 17-year-old boy was issued a £80 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) under Section 5 of the public order act for shouting and swearing in the street. This was issued under the Operation Lion Cub neighbourhood policing initiative which is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour.

On 16 January, a group of youths were stop checked and alcohol was seized from them as part of a crack down on under-age drinking.

In the early hours of 17 January, a car with four occupants was seen and stopped in Reading Cricket and Hockey Club. The men and the car were searched under Section 23 of the Misuse Use of Drugs Act but no drugs were found.

Toby Day, a 34-year-old man from SHurst, was charged with assault and affray on 12 January. He was remanded in custody and appeared at East Berkshire Magistrates court on 20 January and was released on court bail until 10 March.

You can contact your Twyford neighbourhood policing team by calling 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Thames Valley Police officers seized drugs, believed to be class A, and arrested a man and woman, after executing a warrant at an address in Milestone Avenue, Charvil on Friday (22/1).

A 35-year-old woman from Holyport, Maidenhead and a 38-year-old man from Milestone, Charvil, were arrested on suspicion of drug possession and were given adult cautions.

In conjunction with this warrant, 39-year-old Michael Kent of Charvil, was arrested at the Texaco garage on the A4 and charged with possessing a class A drug. He has been bailed to appear at Reading Magistrates court on 5 February at 9.15am.

PC Kyle Bateman, Charvil neighbourhood specialist officer, said: “We executed a warrant at roughly 8pm on Friday, acting on intelligence we received from the community on drug activity at the address.

“We rely on information from the community and we do act on it. I’d like to encourage the public to continue to report any suspicious behaviour to us.”

Anyone with information about those supplying drugs can call their Charvil neighbourhood policing team, via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre, on 0845 8 505 505.

If callers don’t want to talk to police and don’t want to give their name, they can call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Charvil

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a vehicle failed to stop at the scene of a collision in Twyford yesterday (17/1).

At around 3.25pm, a pedal cyclist was travelling on the A4 Bath Road in the direction of Reading, close to the Wee Waif public house, Twyford, when a collision with another vehicle knocked him from his bike.

The other vehicle failed to stop at the scene and the cyclist sustained a broken leg and was admitted to hospital.

If you witnessed the Twyford incident or have any other information that could assist police with their investigation, please contact PC Mark Brazier on 0845 8 505 505. If you don't want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Thames Valley Police efforts to crack down on anti-social behaviour (ASB) continue in the Wokingham Local Policing Area (LPA).

ASB is one of the top three priorities in both Twyford and Woodley and Operation Lion Cub will be in these neighbourhoods this weekend.

On Friday 15 January at 6.30pm a briefing will take place in Twyford at Pennfields, (on the green in the middle), and on Saturday 16 January a briefing will take place in Woodley opposite Cobham Road in the entrance to the industrial estate.

Wokingham LPA ASB officer PC Naomi Jolliffe explains: “These neighbourhoods have reported that ASB is one of their top three priorities that they want police and partners to resolve. In response to this we are taking Operation Lioncub there this weekend.

“Operation Lion Cub focuses on ASB hot spots as highlighted by calls to both police and Wokingham Borough Council.

“Volunteers are recruited to participate in the operation and act as our eyes and ears. These people are given a dedicated mobile number to call to tell us about any ASB which is occurring, and then dedicated operation Lion Cub officers can swiftly respond.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Thames Valley Police arrested a 34-year-old man on Tuesday (12/1) in Wokingham on suspicion of actual bodily harm and affray.

Tobias Day, of School Road, Hurst was charged with assault, criminal damage (in connection with the assault) and affray.

The assault charge relates to an incident on 7 January when a 34-year-old woman was assaulted in Longfield Road, Twyford.

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford

Here is the latest Twyford/Ruscombe, Sonning/Charvil/Hurst and Wargrave/Remenham neighbourhood update from Twyford Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Anne Chalmers:

Crime info:

Burglaries – there has been an increase in the number of burglaries across the area. Properties targeted have usually been empty - residents have been out for the evening leaving their homes looking dark and empty. I encourage residents to make their homes appear occupied when they are not in by, for example, leaving a light and TV on or investing in internal timer switches.

A resident of Wargrave has reported three incidents of vandalism to her car whilst parked in Autumn Walk. The last incident was porridge like substance poured over the windscreen – PCSO Jackie Daniels and PC Neblett are investigating these incidents. If you have seen any suspicious behaviour in the area of Autumn Walk please contact us.

There has been an increase in reports of criminal activity in Sonning Lane and the A4 towards Maidenhead. This includes theft from motor vehicles and drug taking. Police are increasing patrols around these areas but we ask residents to report any suspicious activity to the police.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

ASB is still one of our main priorities for the team. We have had reports of ASB at Twyford Railway station in the evenings concerning young people hanging around, running in and out of the building, intimidating customers and using inappropriate language.

We have had similar reports at Loddon Hall, Ruscombe, again in the evenings, again concerning young people hanging around, running in and out of the building, intimidating customers, stuffing toilet paper in the sinks and toilets.

Pennfields Estate, Twyford has also been experiencing youth related ASB, details of individuals concerned have been noted and appropriate action taken. People experiencing repeated ASB can feel vulnerable and frightened. In addition to our regular neighbourhood patrols, police are running Operation Lion Cub, a dedicated team of officers who are directed to the reported area of ASB. If you are a victim of repeated ASB and would like to talk with one of your neighbourhood police – please contact us.

Offenders bought to justice

On 3 December, a 15-year-old girl was arrested on Twyford Road, Wargrave on suspicion of handling stolen goods (a mobile phone). She has been released on bail until 12 January.

An 18-year old man from Ruscombe and a 16-year-old girl from Winnersh were arrested on 18 December on suspicion of harassment. They have been released on bail until 22 January.

Neighbourhood Priorities:

Parking

We continue to patrol areas where parking on double yellow lines is an issue. Areas of concern are Station Road and Brook Street as these are busy residential roads around Twyford station. Inconsiderate parking causes congestion and lack of spaces for the residents along the road. Anyone parking in this area must have a residents parking permit issued by Wokingham Borough Council. Anyone seen parked on double yellow lines will be issued a fixed penalty notice ticket. We have also addressed the issue of cars that appear to have been abandoned by their owners, these vehicles have been removed.

Wargrave Piggott Junior & Infant School Parking update; It was on a very cold morning when PC Chris Harrison stopped and cautioned a female, in her vehicle who had dropped off her child on the zigzags outside Piggott Junior School he also issued a fixed penalty and a £30 fine to a parent who had parked on double yellow lines in Beverley Road, Wargrave.

The team will continue to monitor the parking situation in these locations as we believe the safety of the children is paramount and will not accept any excuse as to why these parking offences are still occurring despite many warnings published via the schools and local press

Car Crime

There has been an increase in reports of theft from vehicles across Wokingham. Car parks in and around Sonning Lane and the A4 towards Maidenhead have also been targeted as has Waitrose car park, Twyford, and Dinton pastures, Hurst. Police are increasing patrols around these areas and are working with volunteers to initiate the empty car campaign but we would ask residents around to report any suspicious activity to the police.

Speeding

Unfortunately we have not had the opportunity to use Speed indication device (SID) this month, however please be assured your concerns regarding speeding hot spots across the northern parishes are acted upon. Our next SID activity is planned for Ruscombe Road, in January.

Partnership activity

PCSO Anne Chalmers spent a very enjoyable morning with the residents of Treachers court Twyford (sheltered accommodation). We were able to discuss several aspects of personal safety and home security.

Details for further meetings.:

* Twyford police surgery, Twyford library 13 January
* Twyford, Ruscombe, Wargrave Neighbourhood action group meeting on March 11; at Piggott School
* Street Briefing - Hurst Village Hall Car Park, 17 January 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Good news stories

The team would like to welcome PC Sarah Bartlett on her Neighbourhood Attachment with us before she joins the response team at Loddon Valley in February.

PCSO Nicola Shepherd has now been on area for a month and would like to take the chance to say thank you for the warm welcome received by the local residents. If you have not already met her please stop her in the street and say hello.

PCSO Anne Chalmers had the pleasure of escorting Sonning Primary school students to their Nativity rehearsals at St Andrews church Sonning. I would like to say I thought the children were wonderful and I’m sure their parents will think so too.

Community events

Sadly the Sonning Charvil and Hurst NAG meeting was cancelled due to illness. We will be reconvening soon and I’d like to wish our chairman a speedy recovery. We continue to hold public meetings, and encourage local residents to come along to our street briefings to meet us and ask questions, we very much like to meet as many residents as possible. These meetings give us, your local neighbourhood policing team, the opportunity to meet local residents, give an update on local priorities and give personal safety and home security, crime prevention advice. PSCO Nicola Shepherd, PCSO Jackie Daniels and PCSO Anne Chalmers held street briefings in Ruscombe Road Twyford, Crazies Hill Wargrave and Park view drive North Charvil.

Future street briefing date and locations can be found on the Neighbourhood Policing webpage.

Feedback received during the street briefings give us the opportunity to deal with speeding and parking issues in the New Year.

You can contact your neighbourhood policing team by calling 0845 8 505 505

Thames Valley Police ~ Twyford