Wokingham

A new mobile unit, fitted with CCTV cameras, will patrol Wokingham streets to improve safety in the Wokingham district from this week.

The Wokingham vehicle, along with four portable CCTV cameras, will be unveiled on Wednesday (June 7) as part of the official launch of the campaign ‘Operation Four Wheel’. This is a joint initiative between Wokingham District Council and Thames Valley Police and will be used for surveillance in public areas across the district.

Operated by Wokingham District Council’s community wardens as well as police officers, the CCTV van will help combat crime and anti-social behaviour. Funded through government money, the CCTV van will keep a watchful eye over crime hotspots in the district.

The Wokingham van and the four re-deployable cameras form 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 vehicle related offences, but also other important crime and disorder issues such as anti-social behaviour and burglary.

Wokingham Car parks will be targeted, keeping residents’ and visitors’ cars safe from would-be thieves. Not only will car parks benefit from 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.

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for Wokingham community safety, said: “Overall crime in the Wokingham district is low but we are not complacent. The district council along with fellow members of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will do everything we can to ensure the district remains a safe place to live and work. We are determined to continue to bring crime levels down even further and the new mobile CCTV unit will be an essential tool that gives us the flexibility to deter and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on the streets of the district.”

At the official Wokingham launch on Wednesday, an array of games and goodies will be available for people who want to learn more about keeping their car safe. There will be an example of a vehicle with valuables on display inviting interest from thieves - members of the public will be challenged to spot the unsafe items.

And in a bid to raise public awareness of car crime and how to prevent it, Wokingham district council’s community wardens will also be giving out advice packs, which include stationery and air fresheners printed with reminders of the message. Volunteers from Thames Valley Police will be on hand ‘property-marking’ mobile phones, bikes and other valuables that people bring along. Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be giving home safety and fire advice, along with the council’s crime reduction officer.

Wokingham District Council