The Finchampstead Police Liaison Group meets from time to time.  All residents are invited to this public meeting and there will be a chance to meet those responsible for local policing including Finchampstead area beat officers, PC Dave Mckay and PC Andy Roberts.

Thames Valley Police has launched this single, local rate number for all non-emergency calls. It means people who want to report a non-urgent crime, receive an update on a crime which has already been reported, or leave messages for their area beat officers, now just have one number to ring. It is hoped the new number will ease the frustrations of people who often find it difficult to get through to their local police station on the phone.

The emergency number 999 should be used for all instances where a crime is being committed, there is risk of injury or damage to property.

"FLOATING" TEAM

A team of 7 police officers has now been established to target problem areas throughout the Reading with Wokingham police sector. This new team of officers will provide a much-needed additional resource and opportunities to focus high profile policing where it is needed the most. The Community Action Team, was launched in February 2004 and comprises a Sergeant and six PCs who will be deployed to areas where an additional police presence is needed the most, for example an area that is experiencing disorder or anti-social behaviour or an area where the local beat officer is on leave or unavailable.

It is vital the community works with the Police. If you have an issue which you feel needs attention, contact your local area beat officer PC Dave Mckay or Inspector Andy Bagnall in charge of the Wokingham sector.

Crimestoppers and the police have joined forces to launch the Rat On A Rat campaign, officially launched across Wokingham district on Monday 26 January 2004. The aim of the campaign is to encourage the community to forward information on drug dealing and other crime. We do believe there are people in the community who have information, but have not passed it on, for one reason or another. We are urging these people to come forward with information, no matter how insignificant they think it may be, so it can be shared and used to tackle crime and disorder across the district.

An unacceptable increase in burglary has prompted Thames Valley Police to launch the Safer Homes initiative. As part of the campaign, a series of leaflets have been designed in order to give people the information they need to protect their homes and property from offenders. One of the leaflets has also been specially designed for the friends, relatives and carers of elderly or vulnerable people, some of who unfortunately can fall victim to distraction burglars. The leaflets are detailed yet easy to read and are free of charge. They can be sent to people's homes on request or are available at your local post office or library. For more information, contact 01189 536354 or email: sian.hickman@thamesvalley.police.uk

The new single number is part of the huge Access to Services programme, which Thames Valley Police launched last year in order to improve the way we communicate with the public and also each other. It is one of the biggest changes Thames Valley Police has seen in its history. As part of the scheme, two new police enquiry centres have been opened to deal with non-emergency calls. They are able to take reports of non-emergency crimes, update people on the progress of an ongoing investigation and offer other advice. All 999 emergency calls continue to be dealt with by the control rooms, which have also been refurbished and updated as part of the programme.

Officers in Wokingham began using the new Airwave phones in February 2004. This will eventually enable officers to do a lot of the initial work towards an investigation over the phone. They will not have to return to the station and fill out as much paperwork, giving them more time to remain in front line policing.

The date this page was last altered was March 11, 2007.

Copyright © 2003 Finchampstead Parish Council