I'm the Lib Dem Safer Communities spokesperson, so I spend a lot of time speaking to residents and the Police about ways we can reduce crime and disorder both in Redlands, and across Reading. Kirsten helps me greatly in campaigning on this agenda as a member of the Redlands & University Neighbourhood Action Group. I thoroughly enjoy this role: it brings me into contact with lots of interesting people and when I am able to make a difference it feels very worthwhile.
On Monday evening I attended the inaugural meeting of the Whitley North Neighbourhood Action Group. This covers Redlands from Cintra Park down to Hexham Road and Northumberland Avenue We elected a very capable Chair and it was really encouraging to see a good number of local residents at the meeting. I hope these residents will help focus Police resources on issues that matter to the local community. Drugs is the top priority of this NAG. Drug-dealing and drug-related crime causes misery in parts of Reading, and Whitley suffers more than most. It certainly wont be something the Group can tackle over night, but discussing the issues and highlighting hotspots is a good first step to doing that.
On Wednesday evening I had my crime-fighting hat on again for a meeting of the Safer Reading Campaign. This Council committee meets quartelry to look at problems of crime across Reading. I am also a member of the South and East Reading Safer Forums which focuses on reducing crime in those specific areas.
We had a very interesting presentation from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service about the work they do in Reading as a member of the Crime Reduction Disorder Partnership,the Safer Reading Campaign, which includes the Police and RBC among others. I was surprised to learn that improving road safety is one of the Fire Service's priority and I was impressed by the range of activities they carry out to improve awareness of fire safety in the community.
Inspector Andy Bellman, gave an update report on the roll out of Neighbourhood Policing in Reading. Andy has project managed the roll-out as well as being responsible for policing of the Oxford Road area of town.
There are now 41 PCSOs out and about, and every Neighbourhood Police Team is now in place. We agreed that visible policing is having a positive effect and building confidence of local communities in the Reading Police force. This follows years of Police shortages in Reading and the Thames Valley.
I said that the proof would be in the pudding and that TVP and the Council needed to monitor the impact of Neighbourhood Policing to see that it is in fact delivering crime reduction, otherwise it will be seen to be a fad. My concern is that we keep local residents engaged on the NAGs: they will need to see progress to stay interested and engaged. Andy reassured me that the Police would be keeping tabs on this.
Finally,the Council's Community Safety team gave us a quick update on capital projects to reduce crime. The following projects relate to the Redlands area:
- Muirfield Close will be getting an extra lighting column, after a campaign by the Lib Dems.
- There is a bid in for better street lighting on Foxhill Road, Cardigan Road and Cardigan Gardens (thanks to Glenn for highlighting this at the recent East Reading Safer Forum!) which should go ahead.
- Bede Walk: after a campaign by residents and myself to get RBC to help reduce anti-social behaviour in the area RBC is looking at a range of options including better lighting, improved fencing and CCTV
I left the meeting feeling positive that crime issues in Redlands are on the Council's agenda, even if it took some battling by the Lib Dem team over past two years!
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