Wokingham

Young people in Wokingham are being invited to pick up litter as part of a scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The incentive for completing the litter pick activity in Wokingham town centre on Friday 3 April is tickets to bowling or laser quest, kindly donated by the Big Apple in Wokingham.

The litter pick is part of the Make a Difference scheme, which began in February with young people helping out for the day at Chestnut pre-school.

Wokingham Police Community Support Officer Vicki Williams, acting as project leader, said: “The last activity was really well received so we hope this one will be just as popular.

“The community will benefit from a litter-free town centre, and by giving young people an activity to do, by means of the incentive, we hope to reduce low-level anti-social behaviour. “

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Police are asking people to report suspicious behaviour following a spate of thefts of vehicle parts in the Wokingham area.

External parts are being removed from vehicles across the Wokingham Local Policing Area (LPA), including Lower Earley, Shinfield, Winnersh and Woodley.

On 14 March, wing mirrors were stolen off a Mini Cooper in Sindlesham.

There have also been five Wokingham reports of theft of external car parts from Ford cars.

Other Wokingham parts that have been reported stolen include a bumper, alloy wheel locking nuts, plastic trim from sides of vehicle, badges from alloy wheels and hubcaps. Thefts mainly occur overnight or during the evening.

Insp Lindsay James, Deputy LPA Commander, said: “We urge anyone with any information to contact police. Also, be vigilant – if you are aware of someone who is offering such car parts up for sale, they may be stolen.

“If you know someone is doing up a car and you suspect they may be using external body parts which could be stolen, let us know.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. You can also speak to one of your neighbourhood policing team on the same number.

If you do not want to speak to the police, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Police in the borough of Wokingham are offering crime prevention advice to residents as the lighter evenings approach.

The Wokingham neighbourhood policing teams are using flyers in the shape of a hand which they use to highlight potential point of entry for burglars with the message ‘Thames Valley Police got here before the burglar’.

Insp Lindsay James, Deputy Commander for Wokingham Local Policing Area said: “Clocks go forward at the weekend, which means the warmer weather is approaching and the temptation to leave windows open is greater than ever. However, burglars will see an open window and seize their opportunity – an open window is an open invitation.

“It only takes a moment for them to gain entry and steal small items such as car keys, laptops and cameras. Keep these out of sight of windows and the letterbox too.

“Close and lock your windows and doors, even if you only leave home for a short time, or even if you’re just in the garden.”

Wokingham Police also urge residents to ensure their property is secure when they go on holiday – there are a number of measures you can implement to avoid becoming a victim of burglary. Tips given on the Thames Valley Police website include:

* Make your home look occupied.
* If you're out or going away, ask a trusted neighbour to close your curtains for you at night
* Ask a neighbour if they don't mind parking their car on your driveway and trimming your garden to make your home look occupied.
* Cut the front and back lawns before you go away and trim any plants that burglars could hide behind.
* If you give a spare set of keys to your neighbour, remind them not to put any of your personal items on your keys - just in case the keys fall into the wrong hands.
* Cancel milk and newspaper deliveries.
* Before your holiday, be careful not to discuss among strangers how you'll soon be away from home.

Another opportunity for thieves as the evenings grow lighter and the weather improves is theft from cars.

Norman West who runs the ‘empty car campaign’ in Wokingham advises car owners not to leave anything at all in your car. He said: “I would like to stress to owners that sometimes it is not enough to put your property in the boot while you are away from it, as thieves may watch you do this and then break in to steal it.”

The Wokingham empty car campaign volunteers offer advice to motorists at popular summer hang-outs such as Dinton Pastures.

For free advice on security and other crime prevention matters call your local crime reduction advisers on 0845 8 505 505. A police community support officer will come to your home to conduct a security check.

Thames Valley Police

Our Wokingham tenant services open day is on Friday April 3rd 2009, from 2pm to 7pm at Sindlesham Court Masonic centre, Sindlesham, Berkshire, RG41 5DB.
What's on

Speak to Wokingham Tenant Services about:

* Housing management
* Housing rents
* Resident involvement
* Repairs and maintenance
* Housing benefits
* Community safety
* Childrens services
* Tenants Choice - have your say about Tenants Choice for kitchens etc. in empty properties - more information will be available from Connaught on the day.

Other Wokingham local services in attendance will include: Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern Berkshire and Solon Community Network.
Free prize draw

All Wokingham adult tenants who attend will be entered into a free prize draw for a variety of donated prizes.
Activities

Activities available for everyone include:

* Seated exercises
* Tai Chi
* Boxercise
* Meet and have your photo taken with Reading Football Club's mascot Kingsley Royal
* Face painting
* Badge making
* Arts and crafts
* Circus skills
* Sports
* Have a go on a Nintendo Wii

Free Easter egg for all Wokingham tenants' children who attend, subject to availability.

Transport is available to and from the event. If you would like to book transport or would like more information, call our Wokingham Resident Participation Team on: 0118 974 3767 or 0118 974 3759.

Wokingham Borough Council

A group of 10 and 11-year-old schoolchildren from Bearwood School, Wokingham were given a glimpse into life inside a police station on Friday 27 February.

A tour of Loddon Valley police station was organised by Wokingham neighbourhood specialist officer PC Alistair Marman, following a Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) meeting. Emma Leroy, Community Warden for Wokingham Borough Council, asked PC Marman if he would mind showing the group of ten junior wardens around a police station and the tour was promptly arranged.

PC Marman said: “We are always happy to talk to groups in the community about the work of the police.

“Junior wardens are an after-school club which aims to foster community spirit in the younger generation, so it’s a particular worthy group.

“They were shown around the station, including custody, and were shown police equipment. They were able to try on a stab vest and to use a police baton in a controlled environment.

“The children are also keen to see the police dogs in the future.”

Wokingham Emma Leroy thanked PC Marman for arranging the tour. She said: “Thank you for taking the time to talk to the junior wardens and show them round the station.

“I think they would have been pleased just seeing the station and a police van, but to actually see how someone is booked into custody will be talked about for weeks, I’m sure.

“They also found the Scenes of Crimes Officers work very interesting, I understand things can change very quickly in their line of work, so appreciate them taking the time to talk to the junior wardens.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Wokingham Police are appealing for witnesses after a blue transit van was broken into whilst parked on Commons Road, Emmbrook, Wokingham on Friday (6/3).

A man wearing a high-visibility vest broke into the van at 3.25pm and stole power tools before leaving in a small white van.

The man is described as white, aged 30-40 years old and of a large build. He is approximately 5ft 7ins tall with fair hair.

PC Chris Stapleton of Reading police said: “I urge people not to leave tools in vans while they are unattended. If anyone was in the area on Friday afternoon and witnessed anybody acting suspiciously please contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries is urged to contact PC Stapleton via Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

This free Wokingham 3 hour workshop is specifically aimed at helping young people prepare for interviews and find a suitable job.

Having recently been disillusioned after conducting interviews, as to the standard of awareness of the preparation need to get a job in todays market. I have decided to put together this short course to give young people a helping hand.

We will cover

* Knowing what you want in a job
* Where to look for a job
* Recruitment agents
* Researching a company
* Applying for a position
* Preparing for an interview
* First impressions
* The interview
* The follow up
* The extended follow up

This will be a fast paced interactive session and you are encouraged to come prepared to ask lots of questions and take suitable notes. Please bring an up to date copy of your CV.

Start Date : 27th Mar, 2009
End Date : 27th Mar, 2009

Start Time : 09:00 AM
End Time : 12:00 PM

Bliss Therapy Centres, 39 Broad Street, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1AU. 0118 989 4001

This is a free event however you need to book in advance as space is limited.

The Wokingham Norreys and Wescott neighbourhood policing team carried out a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Wednesday (4/3) which resulted in a man being charged.

Following the execution of the warrant at an address in London Road, Wokingham, 36-year-old Leon Mohan was arrested and charged with possession of class A drugs. He will appear at East Berkshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (12/3).

Wokingham Neighbourhood specialist officer PC Julie Susel said: “This is an excellent result for police in Wokingham.

“I would urge the community to pass on any information on drug dealers or users in their area, however insignificant they think it may be, as we rely on their help to build intelligence which ultimately leads to warrants and arrests.”

If you would like to talk to the neighbourhood team, visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk and follow the neighbourhood policing links, or call 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Sat 7 Aren’t Birds Brilliant RSPB Walk
Morning stroll around Dinton Pastures, meet main car park at 9am. £1

Sun 8 Friends of Lavell’s Lake Bird Walk
Morning stroll around Lavell’s, meet Sandford Lane car park at 9am. £1

Sat 14 Junior Rangers Wildlife Watch Group
As wildlife detectives use your knowledge and clues to solve a puzzle, Meet at California Country Park at 10.30am, booking essential. For more details please see www.wokingham.gov.uk/environment/countryside/junior-rangers/.
         
 Sun 15 Willow Structures
 Create your own willow structures for climbing plants or use as unique sculptures, meet in Loddon Room at Dinton Pastures please book by calling Christine on 0118 966 2250

Sun 22 Friends of Lavell’s Lake Work Party
Practical conservation task, meet Sandford Lane car park at 10am

Wed 25 RSPB Introduction to bird watching course
First of four sessions as an introduction to bird watching, meet at Dinton Pastures 7pm till 9pm please book, whole course £12 see www.wokingham.gov.uk/environment/countryside/countryside-events-programme/bird-watching-for-beginners-course/ for full details.
    
Fri 27 & Sat 28 Star Gazing
View the stars through telescopes with the help of the Reading Astronomical Society, at main car park at Dinton Pastures 7.30pm. Contact Gerry Bond for more details 0118 986 4032

Sat 28 RSPB Introduction to bird watching
Second session including identifying common birds, meet at Dinton Pastures 9am lasting till 12pm need to book. 

For more information please contact: Countryside Service 0118 934 2016 countryside@wokingham.gov.uk, www.wokingham.gov.uk/countryside

Lynn Yardley
Countryside Ranger (Education and Interpretation)
Wokingham Borough Council Countryside Service, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berkshire RG10 0TH
Tel: 0118 9342016, Fax 0118 9341987
Taking Care of Your Countryside

Wokingham Police are appealing for witnesses after a man exposed himself to a girl in Wokingham.

The incident happened on Broad Street Walk, Wokingham at around 3.30pm on Tuesday (24/2).

The victim is a 16-year-old girl from Woosehill.

The offender is white, around 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and thought to be aged between 30 and 40. He had scruffy black hair, a pale complexion and was wearing a long thigh-length coat, which was black or dark green.

PC Kate Maplesden, of Loddon Valley police, said: “The offence occurred in daylight, at a time where there would have been many people around either driving or walking.

“I would appeal for anyone who witnessed this incident or saw a man fitting this description to contact me as soon as possible.”

Anyone with any information should contact PC Maplesden via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you don’t wish to speak to police or leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.