Wokingham

The roving eye of the law will be keeping a close look-out with re-deployable CCTV cameras and a CCTV van from April, in a bid to keep crime rates down in the Wokingham district.

As the warmer weather approaches vehicle crime begins to escalate, and in the Wokingham district the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) is launching a wide range of initiatives to combat vehicle crime related offences, under the campaign name ‘Operation Four Wheel’.

Funded by Wokingham District Council and Thames Valley Police, the mobile CCTV cameras are the first strand of the new campaign. They will keep a watchful eye over vehicles around the district and crime hotspot car parks will be particularly targeted, keeping residents’ and visitors’ cars safe from would-be thieves. Not only will car parks benefit from the installation of the cameras but, as they are mobile, they can be moved to other locations in response to changing crime patterns, for maximum effect on crime reduction throughout the district.

The van and the cameras, which will be introduced over the next couple of weeks, are part of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership’s ongoing project to cut vehicle related crimes in the district. They will be utilised in special operations to tackle not only Wokingham vehicle related offences, but also other important crime and disorder issues such as anti-social behaviour and burglary.

Chief Inspector Tony Ismay from Thames Valley Police said: ”The acquisition of mobile CCTV cameras and a purpose built CCTV vehicle are additional tools in our armoury to further drive down crime. Both systems provide us with the on-going flexibility to target different areas within the district and will be utilised to reduce and detect crime. They are a valuable asset and I believe they will prove their worth in a short space of time.”

Wokingham Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for community safety, said: “Through partnership working with Thames Valley Police, Wokingham District Council is doing all it can to help make the district a safer place to live, work and visit. Crime can have a devastating effect on victims, even if the crime is relatively minor like having a vehicle broken into. It is not just about the expense and inconvenience these sorts of crimes provoke, but it is the invasion of a person’s personal space and property which can leave a lasting effect. I am pleased measures have been put in place to alleviate this problem and hope that as a result of the CCTV cameras and van, crime will be kept at an all time low.”

Wokingham District Council