POLICE DETAILS
Thames Valley Police - Minster and Katesgrove Neighbourhood

Drug Dealing - You said there was drug dealing around Garnet Hill.

We executed a warrant on a property and one male was arrested. Reading Magistrates issued a Closure Order.

Anti Social Behaviour - You said there was anti social behaviour at the weekends in and around Wensley Court

We conducted high visibilty patrols, youth engagement and education.

Speeding - You said that vehicles where speeding along Wenley Road and Southcote Road

We conducted and Speed Enforcment Operation with the Speed Indication Device with the result being provided to the Neighbourhood Acton Group and residents

Street Drinkers - You said there were issues with street drinkers in the Katesgrove area.

We conducted high visual patrols in the highlighted area and patrol with St Mungo's homeless charity to address the problems of any homelss individuals and provide them with any support they needed.

Vulnerable Adult - You said there was a vulnerable male being exploited.

Working with the council we visited the male and found that a person has been using the address to take drugs. Suspect was arrested and the team continue to visit the vulneralbe male on a regular basis.

Drug Dealing - You said there were issues with drugs at an address in Katesgrove.

We conducted a warrant and drugs were located and seized.

Anti Social Behaviour - Reports of anti soical behaviour between neighbours in a street in Katesgrove

The team are working with Reading Borough Council to progress the eviction of a tenant and then use a Closure Order to resolve the problem.

Drug dealing from a specific property in the area

Work was done with Launchpad and the relevant property was closed down which has helped alleviate the problem. The area is on the patrol plan and close contact is maintained with the residents and work is being done with Launchpad as the property will be opening again soon. It will be monitored much more closely and the clientele will be different in an effort to curb the issues of before. Plain clothes and overt patrols are common and work is being done with licensed premises in the area to try and stop street drinking and ASB. Focus will be maintained on the drug dealers as the problem extends into the surrounding area also and by combatting this we can look to eradicate the problem overall.

Identifying issues around forced and underpaid labour on Oxford Road, Reading

Battle and Minster Neighbourhood Police Team conducted an operation to identify issues around forced and under paid labour in the eastern European community on the Oxford Road Reading, including individuals being picked up and transported out of the area to work.

Officers deployed early to identify any vehicles that pick up workers so that research could then be carried out about the companies. The Gang masters licensing authority were contacted and all details of companies of interest were confirmed and above board. Further education and advice was given to the workers so that they contact us about any illegal activity. Officers deployed with a representative from RAHAB who had a reception centre organised for any exploited individuals that didn’t want to engage with Police present. Every person found in the vehicles was debriefed by Police and RAHAB. They were given information about the minimum wage, what conditions they should expect and how to report issues to Police.

Anti-social Behaviour was reported from a particular address

Officers attended an address where Anti-social Behaviour had been reported and advertisements were discovered suggested a brothel was being run from the location. A welfare check was conducted and a vulnerable person was identified. This individual has engaged with RAHAB and appointments have been made to assist this individual. RAHAB are assisting with an exit strategy and re homing. This individual was grateful for Police contact and help.

Intelligence received regarding the take over of a local property and exploitation of the home owner.

Officers attended an address in this neighbourhood as it was suggested the property had been taken over. A male was located in the address who should not have been there and was dealt with by officers. The property was then made safe and arrangements were made with the management company to attend the address and fit new locks and assist the home owner who was being exploited. Officers located homeowner of the address and he is now going to work with RAHAB, appointments booked.

Criminal activity at a property in Pennyroyal Court

Thames Valley Police have issued a closure order on a property in Minster neighbourhood. The closure order was granted by Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 3 May. It will last for three months. Officers applied for the order following reports of disorderly, offensive and criminal behaviour at the address. The closure order prohibits anyone other than the tenant and specified persons from entering the property. Anyone found breaching the order will be arrested and could face a fine or prison sentence.

Drivers causing safety concerns in the area.

The police team conducted a traffic enforcement operation on the Oxford Road, Reading - ten drivers were reported for no seatbelts, four for driving whilst using a mobile phone, one for a dirty windscreen with washers out of order.

At this time we are having increasing issues with a number of young males appearing to be involved in Child Drug Exploitation (CDE), whereby they are believed to be used by local drug dealers to ‘run’ for them. As in deal class ‘a’ and ‘b’ drugs for them.

The neighbourhood team are working closely with our partner agencies including Social Services to help manage this situation and building up intelligence pictures not only around these young males but also the suppliers and the effect it is having on the wider community.

The team were asked to look at issues in one area off Western Elms Avenue involving anti-social behaviour, drug taking and prostitution.

Regular patrols have been put in place and an address linked to some of these issues was identified with evidence gained resulting in a closure order on that particular property. In other areas along Western Elms, the team have been working with businesses by offering crime prevention advice and better ways to secure their properties. Although this is still an ongoing project, we have seen a positive change with the steps taken to date.

Concerns were raised about drug dealing going on in the area of Brunswick Street, Mason Street and roads surrounding Victoria Park.

We arranged a public meeting with residents and Reading Borough Council partners to better understand the issues people were being faced with. The team was able to work with the community and gathered strong intelligence from their patrols and engagement. This resulted in a very active drug dealer being arrested and remanded by court. This defendant was operating in all affected areas and is now due to be sentenced in October. The team would like to thank members of the community for their support and ask that information continues be passed to us so we can help keep our neighbourhoods safe.

Via a residents' meeting, the team heard of frustrations about who they should contact regarding various types of anti-social behaviour.

Thames Valley Police have been working in joint partnership with Reading Borough Council to create an information leaflet to help answer questions posed by residents. With the help of our Police Cadets these information leaflets were delivered and have been well received by residents. If deemed successful, the team will work closely with other neighbourhood associations and councillors to ensure more residents can contact the correct authorities for their particular concerns in order to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.

Residents from Brunswick Street and surrounding areas are reporting incidents of drug dealing and related anti-social behaviour

A follow up meeting has been held with residence and it was agreed that there has been a reduction in anti-social behaviour in the area. Following the meeting a number of actions were set for the Neighbourhood team to increase patrols around Robert Hewitt Rec and along Argyle Road to disrupt displaced activity. Residents will continue to be consulted in order to get their opinions on the current activity and the impact of it.

Reports of Anti Social Behaviour in and around Temple Place

Working with partner agencies the Neighbourhood Policing Team issued a Partial Closure Order on a property where incidents were taking place. Patrols and door knocks have also been completed. The NHPT are looking at long term processes to be put in place.

Reports of individuals using drugs near to local primary school

The NHPT are conducting high visibility patrols in the area to disrupt any activity and to gather intelligence.

Reports of drug dealing taking place from a property in Bexley Court

The Minster and Katesgrove Neighbourhood Policing Team are working with partner agencies to obtain a long term solution in an effort to combat the drug dealing in the area. An individual has been arrested and awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty at court

Reports of speeding vehicles around the Coley area

Over the coming weeks the Minster and Katesgrove Team will be conducting a number of speeding operations.

PC Phil Lake

I am the new Neighbourhood Supervisor for Katesgrove and Minster having taken over the reins from Joe Wyatt. I have been a police officer with Thames Valley Police for 8 years having worked primarily in an emergency response role. I am excited to take on a new challenge in neighbourhood policing and look forward to working alongside various partner agencies in helping and supporting those who are vulnerable and at risk.

I have already been notified of several areas that require some attention and I will be looking to deal with these fairly and robustly over the coming weeks.

Reports of people riding motorbikes in an anti-social manner around St Giles Close and other areas.

The team conducted patrols in the area and issued a S.59 warning to an individual. This is a formal warning that if the vehicle is used again in such a manner the vehicle can be seized.

Reports from residents around the drug dealing and using.

Working with Thames Valley Police Stronghold Team to target individuals
Working with Reading Borough Council and other partner agencies using a problem solving approach.

There has been a recent spate of residential burglaries and theft from motor vehicles in the area

The team are working along side the Priority Crime Team which has resulted in two arrests.
Increased foot patrols in the targeted areas
Working with partner agencies using a problem solving approach.

Reports of individuals ride motorbikes in an anti-social manner.

The team worked with Reading Borough Council to erect kissing gats along Sheeps Walk which has prevented the individuals from having a clear run through.