POLICE DETAILS
Thames Valley Police - Redlands and Park Neighbourhood

Drug Dealing - Reports of drug dealing taking place along the Kennet and Avon towpath.

We have conducted High Visual patrols along the towpath to deter this criminality.

Brothels - Members of the public reported that a number of properties were being used as brothels in the Newtown area.

The Redlands and Park Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted 2 warrants resulting in 2 brothels being shut down and Closure Orders being placed on the properties for 3 months.

Drugs. Both users and dealing in New town and the Canal side have been reported as issues of concern.

We have been conducting high visibility patrols on foot and in vehicles to deter the problem. We have made several arrests and executed warrants but realise enforcement is not the solution in isolation. We have been in contact with our partners to find ways to address the demand for drugs and we will soon be conducting drop ins and patrols with our partners in the drug support services in an attempt to help people with their addictions.

Many residents have been concerned about street drinking, drunkenness and general antisocial behaviour

We have been involved with the community safety forum along with Reading borough council. We helped to organise a community litter picking event in New Town which coincided with the neighbourhood team conducting high visibility patrols. This resulted in a marked difference in the appearance of the area.
We have officers who will be deployed during Fresher’s fortnight until the early hours of the morning to deter antisocial behaviour and both police and protect our student community.

Anti-social behaviour caused by students late at night.

We have been conducting extra patrols in the area and Reading University has launched a new Street Support Team which has been running since 16th April 2018. The trial scheme is part of plans to promote positive community relationships between students and non-student neighbours.

The University Street Support Team will provide advice to students socialising late at night, encouraging them to be responsible, respectful and safe when travelling through residential areas. The team will also help students feel safe and supported late at night and collect empty bottles and glasses as they go.

The highly trained and highly visible team will be working in residential streets around the campus between 10pm and 4am several nights a week. They’ll primarily be based in areas within your wards, between the following streets:
• Redlands Road and London Road, including St George’s Hall and University bars the Dairy and Park Bar.
• Whiteknights Road and Wokingham Road, including Bridges/Wessex Halls and the number 17 bus stop.
• Northcourt Avenue and Christchurch Green, including St Patrick’s/Sherfield Halls and the number 21/21a bus stop.

The University has created this trial based on views from local residents, neighbourhood police teams, Reading Borough Council and other community partners in the town.

The scheme will run as a trial over the summer term (April - June) and autumn term (September - December). We’ll be reviewing the scheme regularly and we’d be very grateful for feedback so we can make sure the team are working in the best way possible. We will also use the feedback to consider long-term delivery of the scheme.

Drug use and dealing in the canal side areas, car parks and communal areas of flats.

We have been working with our partners in housing associations to better secure the communal areas they manage and encourage them to install CCTV. We have increased our patrols in the area especially on foot and cycle to better access the problem areas. We have been looking to secure derelict buildings which provide areas for drugs to be used and cause the associated paraphernalia to be left behind. We have close links with the organisation IRIS (Which provides support and treatment for drug users) and we will take drug users to them directly if they accept our help. We have utilised closure orders to prevent vulnerable people having their houses taken over by drug dealers. This allows us to arrest people if they continue to be present in the vulnerable persons house.

We continue to rely on information from the public to inform us of where we need to target our efforts.

Vehicles parked on pavements, causing an obstruction in Robert Parker Road

Over the last few days PCSOs have been issuing 'Police Aware' stickers to vehicles causing an unacceptable obstruction to the pavement, with three out of four wheels on the pathway. This was originally called in by a resident of the area.

Drugs and exploitation are top priorities. We have received many reports of drug dealing on the riverside near the Christchurch bridge and the bottom of De-Montford Road.

Following these reports we have gained evidence for a closure order on a property that is now in place. This address was used as a base for drug dealing and a vulnerable male was being exploited. Residents have reported that things have dramatically improved with far less drug users visiting the area. This has also reduced the associated antisocial behaviour and drug paraphernalia. We continue to patrol the area and enforce the closure order to ensure the problem does not reoccur.

We have also been patrolling the canal side and communal areas in residential blocks to deter drug use and dealing and continue to work in partnership with the council and housing associations to target harden the areas.

Street drug dealing and use centred around several locations in East Reading including the whole of the riverside and Orts Road area of Newtown.

The teams have been searching for evidence of drug dealing. Drug paraphernalia has been found and disposed of near Granby Court and the old Huntley and Palmer buildings. We continue to conduct patrols and gather intelligence about anything suspicious in the area.

Residents at risk from exploitation, generally by drug users and dealers.

We are continuing to protect vulnerable residents and also work with our agency partners to prevent exploitation and gather information. Several properties have had locks changed and will have closure orders placed on them if the situation persists.

Antisocial behaviour which includes criminal damage in blocks of flats and multi occupancy addresses.

We continue to patrol the areas and work alongside Reading Borough Council's Anti-social Behaviour Officers. We would ask residents to call the 101 number with any information and descriptions of potential offenders. We are also working closely with Reading University to address student anti-social behaviour in the area.

Street drug dealing and use centred around several locations in East Reading including the riverside, canal side and Orts Road area of Newtown.

The teams have been searching for evidence of drug dealing. Drug paraphernalia has been found and disposed of near Granby Court and the old Huntley and Palmer buildings. We continue to conduct patrols and gather intelligence about anything suspicious in the area. Residents witnessing any suspicious activity or persons should report this information in as soon as possible.

Residents at risk from exploitation generally by drug users and dealers

We are continuing to protect vulnerable residents and also working with our agency partners to prevent exploitation and gather information. Several properties have had locks changed and will have closure orders placed on them if the situation persists.

Anti-social behaviour which includes criminal damage in blocks of flats and multi occupancy addresses.

We continue to patrol the areas affected and would ask residents to call the 101 number with any information and descriptions of potential offenders.

Street drug dealing and use centred around several locations in East Reading including the riverside, canal side and Orts Road area of Newtown.

Proactive patrols to deter and detect drug related activity and identify hotspots for such activity. Residents witnessing any suspicious activity or persons should report this information in as soon as possible via 101 or the Thames Valley Police website.

Residents at risk from exploitation generally by drug users and dealers.

With our local authority partners we are currently identifying addresses that have related issues and trying to engage with the residents to safeguard them. Any addresses of concern are also being identified for closure orders. one of these has been in force since February 2019 from which an individual was arrested for Possession with Intent to Supply. The investigation is ongoing with no reports of continued activity. Residents witnessing any suspicious activity or persons should report this information in as soon as possible.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) which includes criminal damage in blocks of flats and multi occupancy addresses.

In partnership with the University of Reading, we identify addresses which require police intervention to educate residents on appropriate behaviour. We have engaged and patrolled block developments where anti-social behaviour is reported and we are liaising with relevant landlords to find long term solutions. We have also conducted patrols of the ASB affected areas regularly and we are drawing on support of the Special Constabulary. The Specials conducted a recent operation patrolling east end ASB hot spots with further operations planned for the future.

Street drug dealing and use centred around several locations in East Reading including the riverside, canal side and Orts Road area of Newtown.

Proactive patrols to deter and detect drug related activity and identify hotspots for such activity. This is supported by closure orders to disrupt and deter dealing from blocks of flats in these areas which has seen a reduction in activity over the last few months. This has been in conjunction with our partner agencies and together we continue to monitor and support other vulnerable people in our community.

Residents at risk from exploitation - generally by drug users and dealers.

We have continued to support residents alongside our partner agencies. We continue to target properties where exploitation is suspected and have applied for court approved closure orders. We have also run a rogue trading operation to target vehicles that could be exploiting vulnerable persons and also identify vehicles and persons not safe to be on the highway.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) in blocks of flats and multi occupancy addresses.

Proactive patrols to deter and detect anti-social activity attending addresses when incidents occur and monitoring student related ASB issues with University of Reading.

Protecting Vulnerable People in the neighbourhood.

We have recently obtained a closure order in Rupert Square. This was a full order whereby no persons are allowed to visit apart from services.

Drug Dealing in various areas.

We are monitoring a number of locations and are also reviewing current and recent closure orders at Liverpool Road and Arthur Place.

Incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour at various locations in the East Reading neighbourhood.

In response to reports from residents our PCSOs are patrolling public spaces and we are continue to monitor various locations where ASB is occurring.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) by some Reading University students in the area.

Complaints of ASB are being logged and investigated, in partnership with the External Relations Team at the University. A large party was recently broken up after police and University Security attended. We have been informed it is unlikely there will be further problems at this address.

Drug dealing in the East Reading area.

We continue to patrol hot spot areas for both ASB and drug dealing. Please continue to report anything suspicious by telephoning 101 or using the reporting section on the Thames Valley Police website.

Drug dealing in the Orts Road area and canal path and Old Town

Increased patrols in area and several warrants executed and several people arrested and remanded.

Reports of individuals being taken advantage of by drug dealers and user in Old Town area.

Police have worked closely with partner agencies to identify the vulnerable persons. Regular visits completed by police and referrals made.

Reports of fights in Cumberland Road and the surrounding streets. Police identified this is related to drugs.

Increased patrols in area, including cycle patrol team. Also warrants conducted to target drug dealers and several persons arrested.