Wokingham

Wokingham residents are beginning to feel the benefit of a new Neighbourhood Crime Team.

The team has been set up to tackle priority issues such as burglary, vehicle crime and criminal damage and it is already proving successful.

It is made up of both Wokingham Neighbourhood and Response officers and it provides a dynamic and proactive approach to tackling and detecting crime and crime reduction.

Insp Jim Weems, the Deputy Wokingham LPA Commander, said: “This is very much a Neighbourhood Policing initiative and provides us with a dynamic response to localised issues like criminal damage, burglary and vehicle crimes.

“Basically, the team deals with the gritty side of Neighbourhood Policing and if an area is dealing with a particular problem we can send a large number of officers in to resolve the issue.

“The team is very flexible and allows us to react quickly to potential problems on a daily basis.

“They can patrol on foot, in vehicles and cycles and in either plain clothes or uniform at very short notice.”

The team started its work at the end of last year and has already made an impressive impact.

Insp Weems said: “Wherever we have put the team so far we have had good results. They reduced burglaries at the Lower Earley and Reading borders and they had a big impact on shoplifting when we sent them into Wokingham town centre in the run up to Christmas.

“They have also been involved in trap-car operations.”

The team also forms the front line in the area’s response to antisocial behaviour and criminal damage.

They form the majority of Operation Front which carries out high visibility patrols on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in ‘hot spot’ areas.

Wokingham Insp Weems said: “When you are trying to tackle antisocial behaviour and its associated crimes you need to have a body of officers which you can call upon, and that is what we have with this team.

“The team have made some excellent progress in terms of engaging with and moving on those groups of people that try to undermine the quality of life of entire communities.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham