Council continues to drill down on ASB in Reading

THE Council is urging residents to continue to report instances of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Reading so that it can build on successful actions taken over the past year. 

18 November sees the beginning of National ASB Awareness Week and, in common with many towns and cities, latest figures show that ASB continues to be a concern for people in Reading.

Positively for Reading, this year’s Community Safety Survey by the Council on behalf of Reading’s Community Safety Partnership showed an impressive 5% increase in the number of residents who feel Reading is a safe place to live, up from 45% to just over 50%. Whilst only 34% felt completely or fairly safe at night time in their neighbourhood, three-quarters of residents said they felt either completely safe or fairly safe in their neighbourhood in the daytime, again an increase the 2023 figures. However, 58% said they still felt that antisocial behaviour (ASB) had increased in the past year.

The annual survey, which took place over the summer, invited residents to have their say on safety in Reading and help shape continuing changes to make it a safer place to live.

Reading Council is highlighting its ongoing commitment in working to reduce ASB locally, and in close partnership with organisations such as Thames Valley Police, to encourage residents to continue to report ASB so actions can be identified and taken.

Examples of successes this year which were the direct result of reports being made to the Council by members of the public, include:

• The removal of phone boxes along the Oxford Road which were being used for drug dealing
• Tidying up of Kensington Park and removing mattresses on the corner of the car park which was being used for rough sleeping and a focal point for people gathering
• Legal action against tenants at a property in Kentwood ward as a result of complaints of motorbike nuisance
• A closure order put on a property in Tilehurst ward after an investigation stemming from concerns raised of drug related activity

Reading Council is organising a number of interactive events during ASB Awareness Week where residents can meet representatives of the Council, police and other community safety partners to discuss concerns they may have and find out what work is happening to continue to address issues raised in the survey. These include:

• Launch and partnership event at Broad Street Mall on Monday 18 November from 10am to 3pm: Residents can meet representatives of the police, Council, fire service, trading standards and housing and energy support, to raise any queries with frontline officers and find out what initiatives are being undertaken. Free personal safety tools, such as alarms and property marking pens, will also be being given out for free.
• A series of Love Your Neighbourhood events providing an opportunity to meet officers in the community: Find out what partners are doing in your local area and talk to officers about anti-social behaviour. These will take place at:

- Mon 18 Nov, Coley (Coley Community Centre, 10am – 12pm)

- Tue 19 Nov, Kentwood, Norcot and Tilehurst (Lyndhurst Road Community Centre, 1pm – 4pm)

- Wed 20 Nov, Southcote (Southcote Hub, Coronation Square, 9am – 1pm)

- Thu 21 Nov, Caversham (Emmer Green Community Centre, 10am – 1pm)

- Fri 22 Nov, Redlands (Hexham Road Community Centre, 9am – 12pm)

- Fri 22 Nov, Whitley Wood (Whitley Wood Community Centre, 1pm – 4pm)

Councillor Karen Rowland, Lead Member for Community Safety at Reading Borough Council and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said:

“Whilst there are some encouraging results from this year’s community safety survey, we are committed to continuing to improve residents’ feelings of safety in our town. Despite the encouraging numbers, we still know that anti-social behaviour remains entrenched and a problem for our residents, as in common with all large urban areas.

“The Council and its partners remain fully committed to continuing to address the presence of ASB in our communities. Thanks to Safer Streets funding we’ve been able to make significant investment in additional cctv cameras and lighting, and have recruited to our ASB and Safer Public Realm teams where officers are enthusiastic and at the ready to investigate issues residents raise.

“So I implore residents to help us to help you – if you are a victim of ASB, do not suffer in silence. Please do report the issues to us and we will do our best to get to the bottom of it and resolve the issue for you”.

Reading’s Community Safety Partnership is urging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. If you or someone else are at immediate risk or in danger you should call 999. For non-emergency incidents of anti-social behaviour that you have witnessed or been victim of, please inform the police using the non-emergency number, 101, or by using the Thames Valley Police online reporting tool: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/

Ongoing issues with ASB can be reported to the Council’s anti-social behaviour service by calling 0118 937 3787 or emailing asb.team@reading.gov.uk

Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, ASB Awareness Week features a series of events across the UK involving Councils, Police Forces, Housing Associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs and aims to encourage communities to take a stand against anti-social behaviour and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.