November community safety update

We know that crime and anti-social behaviour can have a really detrimental impact on the quality of life of local residents in the ward.

We take these problems very seriously so when local people contact us about these types of issues we do our best to get action taken quickly by the Council and the Police.

The pictures below were emailed in by a constituent today.

They illustrate the worrying anti-social behaviour residents are currently facing on Stanhope Road:

I wrote to officers calling for urgent action after several residents contacted me with concerns about arson, motorbike nuisance and speeding stolen cars by the roundabout on Stanhope Road. 

I am campaigning for action by the Council and Police to include, potentially, barriers to be installed on this roundabout.

A quick update on some other issues we are currently trying to get sorted in the ward:

• Morgan Road - I spotted some broken glass in the street (near the junction with Redlands Road), evidence of a break-in and reported this to RBC and TVP. Historically car break-ins and other asb has been a problem in this area. I wrote to officers earlier this week to request a lighting upgrade (it is a very gloomy spot).
  Officers responded today saying that crime data shows that this is a hotspot and they are investigating crime-reduction measures including promoting 'empty car' messages locally.
•  Bede Walk - following recent vandalism to cars in the garage area I am continuing to call for action by the Council to improve the security of this area. No solutions have been put forward as yet.

If you are a resident living in any of these roads who has been affected, or if you have any crime problems in your bit of the ward please do get in touch with us so we can follow it up with the Police and Council.

Low crime reporting is still a major issue locally and without the crime data to back up what we hear from residents it can be hard for us as councillors to get action taken.

I led a high-profile campaign last year calling for a better Police response to local crime reports after receiving lots of complaints from residents who felt they were not being listened to (and as a result they stopped reporting issues).

For example, Council spending on crime-reduction measures (from the Safer Reading Campaign pot) have to be linked to crime stats.

We would like to urge any residents reading this who are affected by crime and anti-social behaviour to please contact Thames Valley Police with the details via the anti-social behaviour action line on 0845 8 505 50.

Finally, I'm grateful to constituents from the Marlborough Avenue/Elmhurst Road Neighbourhood Watch who drew my attention to the problem of distraction burglaries which are apparently on the increase in parts o Redlands.

I attach the Police advice they have given me below:

 The tactics used are as follows:

1. Bogus water board or other utility callers.

2. A boy calls to say he has lost his ball in your garden.

3. "I'm working in your street and notice you've got a slate lose" etc etc.

4. "I've broken down and don’t have my mobile with me can I come in and use your phone"?

All such tactics employ two people, one acting as the decoy whilst the other one gains entry, steal keys, or mobiles, or wallets or check the place over for valuables.

DON’T Let anyone into your home under any circumstances unless they have previously arranged an appointment with you and have official photo identity, or are family or friends.