THAMES Valley Police’s local Neighbourhood Policing team has been tackling antisocial behaviour on a housing estate in Reading.
With a focus on Hexham Road Estate, TVP has been working alongside partnership agencies, we were able to identify three key concerns: vulnerable residents, fly-tipping, and drug use.
Through a multi-agency effort, Thames Valley Police, in partnership with Reading Borough Council (RBC) and local community organisations, has completed a number of implementations.
These include closure orders on problem properties, issuing Community Protection Warnings and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, as well as conducting door-to-door engagement with residents and environmental visual audits.
They’ve also seen a number of youth engagement sessions in the area, as well as the installation of more CCTV.
The last 12 months has seen increased use of powers by police to tackle antisocial behaviour by over 150% compared to the previous year.
In cases where residents were too frightened to leave their homes, there has been the biggest impact – with many now expressing increased confidence in going outside.
One resident, originally from the area but later relocated to more suitable accommodation, attested that the support he received has enabled him to regain a sense of control over his life.
