READING Borough Council is inviting residents and businesses to a series of meetings aimed at improving community safety.
Residents with an interest in improving their local communities and helping provide input to tackle crime locally are being encouraged to attend one of a series of Safer Neighbourhood Forums beginning next week.
Ten events are set to take place across the borough to ensure specific, localised issues can be discussed, beginning in north Reading on January 19, and concluding with south Reading on March 26.
Officers from Thames Valley Police and Reading Borough Council, along with local Councillors, will attend all ten events to discuss locals’ concerns with them and address crime and anti-social behaviour issues specific to their area.
Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “The New Year is a great time to pledge to do something positive to make a difference in your community and your town.
“One way you can do this is to join us at one of our upcoming Safer Neighbourhood Forums so that you can help inform the Police and the Council about issues you see in your area as needing greater focus.
“We know the best way for us to take effective action to improve and resolve localised problems is with positive communication and listening to input from the residents and businesses in our local communities.
She explained: “The recent Community Safety Survey highlighted concerns people have across Reading about the Town Centre, as it belongs to each of us. If you have concerns about the Town Centre, you are invited along to that forum also to contribute your thoughts.
“Please do take 90 minutes out of your schedules to come along, chat with us and open up some really positive dialogue to work together with the Police and the Council.
“Together we can ensure 2026 is a year in which we take effective action to remedy those issues that blight our communities.”
Emmer Green, Caversham, Caversham Heights and Thames will be covered in a forum at Weller Centre, RG4 5NA on Monday, January 19.
Abbey, Battle, Coley – south of Tilehurst Road and the western section of Norcot will be covered in a forum at Argyle Community Church, RG1 7YL on Wednesday, January 21.
Norcot, Tilehurst and Kentwood wards will be covered in a forum at Lyndhurst Road Community Centre, RG30 6UB on Thursday, January 22.
Hexham Estate area will be covered in a forum at Hexham Road Community Centre, RG2 7UD on Thursday, January 29 from 7.45pm – 9pm.
Central Whitley area will be covered in a forum at South Reading Community Hub, RG2 7QA on Thursday, February 26.
Coley ward will be covered in a forum at Coley Park Community Centre, RG1 6DW on Thursday, February 26.
Town Centre, and residents and businesses in Abbey and Thames wards will be covered in a forum at Civic Offices, RG1 2LU on Thursday, March 5.
Southcote ward will be covered in a forum at Southcote Family Church, RG30 3BL on Tuesday, March 17.
East Reading area in Thames, Park and Redlands wards will be covered in a forum at Sun Street Community Hub, RG1 3JX on Wednesday, March 25.
Whitley Wood will be covered in a forum at Whitley Wood Community Centre, RG2 8UG on Thursday, March 26 from 7.15pm – 8.45pm.
