Hexham Road has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons today, with news of the arrest of a 13 year old for dealing hard drugs.
The Lib Dem team, working with the Council and the Police have been working hard over the past few years with local residents to change perceptions about Hexham Road, and articles like this obviously make that job more difficult.
However, there is clearly still a lot of work to be done to get drugs off the estate, and we are not in any way complacent.
In light of this, I have written today to senior officers in the Council, and Inspector Kevin Sinfield to seek reassurances on behalf of the local community that everything that can be done to tackle drug dealing in and around the estate is being done.
I feel it's important to underline the fact that while it is a cause for concern, this arrest is an isolated incident and does not reflect the neighbourhood as a whole. Although it is easy for journalists to magnify problems in Whitley, we know that drug-dealing is sadly a problem in many parts of Reading.
The local media have a responsibility not to increase stereotyping of places or communities. This latest article follows another negative article about Whitley which was published in the Post last November.
I know from speaking to people that that article upset a lot of people living and working in the area.
What today's article fails to mention is the strong community spirit on the estate, which I notice every time I talk to people who live there. The majority of children and young people on the estate are law-abiding and it does them a disservice to imply all local children are involved in drugs or crime.
As I have said before, the important thing is to improve opportunities for local people, particularly young people living on the estate so that they have equal chances to get on in life as people living in more prosperous parts of town, and real choices about what they do with their lives.
With the Council's Thriving Neighbourhoods Programme off the ground, and the recent survey of South Reading residents now completed there is a real opportunity for life to help make life better for local people.
And by that I mean improving access to a good education and better healthcare.
Both Labour and Tory governments have failed the people of South Reading and I'm glad that at last improving quality of life (and life chances) for people in South Reading is at the top of the Council's agenda in Reading.
Because let's be honest, drug dealing is closely linked to poverty and we cannot reduce drug dealing without tackling poverty, and the reasons young people turn to drugs.
This is about not only about the need to increasing Police presence in the area (to increase community confidence), but also the Council taking active steps to improve facilities for young people and support for families.
We are very lucky to have an excellent youth worker from RBC on the estate, based at Hexham Rd Community Centre. His regular evening activity sessions for local young people are really popular and must continue.
A recent survey of Hexham Road estate revealed that the number one concern for local people is lack of Police in the area. The need for more visible policing is something I have actively campaigned on through my roles on the Safer Reading Campaign, North Whitley Neighbourhood Action Groups and as Chair of the South Reading Safer Forum.
The Neighbourhood Police team has undoubtedly made a difference, but we still need a Police base in North Whitley.
Hopefully soon the Evening Post will have more positive stories to write about Hexham Road.
Until then, we will continue to work hard to reduce the damage done by drugs to our communities by campaigning to ensure that the Police and the Council are putting in the necessary time and resources into the estate.
If you have concerns about drug dealing in any part of Redlands please ring crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111 or report crime via the online form. If you would like to report any issues to the Neighbourhood Police Team please contact 08458 505 505.
Comments