To receive an update from Thames Valley Police.

Inspector Tracey Croucher introduced the item and told the Forum that this update referred to the period July 20 – September 21. The Forum was told there had been no reported residential burglaries in Windsor Central in this period, compared to nine in the corresponding period the previous year. It Windsor East there had been 14, a reduction of five compared to the previous year, and in Windsor West there had been seven, down from 16. Two arrests had been made in connection to the burglaries in Windsor West. There had also been reductions in incidents of thefts from motor vehicles and thefts of pedal cycles. Inspector Croucher said three arrests had been made in connection to the cycle thefts.

Inspector Croucher said demand for police services was likely to rise as Covid19 restrictions were lifted. Already there had been a rise in reports of breaches of Covid19 legislation and violent crime, and Inspector Croucher asked for forbearance as officers worked to prioritise call-outs. She said Windsor’s Neighbourhood Policing Team consisted of five Police Constables as others were either on maternity leave or self isolating due to Covid19. Responses to major incidents were coordinated by a central command team.

Inspector Croucher spoke about the role of PCSOs in the Royal Borough, and their importance of feeding back information to the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Windsor and talking to residents by being community based. She said PCSOs had been conducting a survey in Dedworth by knocking on residents’ doors and asking what was being done well and what was not in the area; in addition to this they had been asking residents if they could help the community in any way by providing skills or locations that could be used by other residents. This survey was being done in addition to one being carried out by Thames Valley Alert. Inspector Croucher said she hoped Jeff Pick from Thames Valley Alert would be able to attend a future meeting.

Inspector Croucher confirmed, following a question from the Chairman, that the bicycle rack at Eton railway station had been stolen after being unbolted from the floor. More modern racks elsewhere were sunk into the pavement to stop metal theft. Inspector Croucher said the police were working with the Council to improve CCTV coverage of bicycle racks at the Borough’s railway stations. Cllr Rayner said the rack had now been replaced, and expressed her surprise at the lengths the culprit had taken to steal the rack. Cllr Cannon confirmed, following a question from Cllr da Costa, that the rack had not been covered by CCTV but added that racks were not under constant surveillance as the cameras would cover a wider area.

Cllr Tisi asked if the crime figures Inspector Croucher referenced could be made available in advance of future meetings, so Members could prepare any questions they may have about the statistics. Inspector Croucher said she was happy to do this.

Inspector Croucher said some stolen bikes had been recovered and some had been returned to their owners as they had been marked with personal details, and Inspector Croucher said the police were trying to convey the message that it was important for bike owners to get them marked. She said a suspect had been arrested and charged with up to eight offences of bike theft, and had been banned from entering Windsor.

Responding to a question from Cllr Price, Inspector Croucher confirmed that a stabbing had taken place recently in Windsor. This had been outside a pub and the wound had been a minor one to the hand. A suspect had been arrested and the investigation was ongoing; however Inspector Croucher said the victim, who had been intoxicated, was not engaging with the police investigation. She added that this incident of a stabbing was regarded as very unusual for Windsor.

Regarding the introduction of the ‘rule of six’ for gatherings, Inspector Croucher told the Forum that the police had been instructed to be more forceful in trying to stop large gatherings, and that more direct action had been required. There had been some reports to police of large gatherings, and it was anticipated that this would increase.

The Forum was told about the Street Wise programme to help street sleepers, which operated a traffic light system depending on the number of reports that had been made about a particular individual. A pattern of repeated poor behaviour could lead to enforcement and possible prosecution. Inspector Croucher reminded the Forum that it was a criminal offence to beg. The Street Wise programme was designed to give help to street sleepers and potentially take them off the streets.

Members thanked Inspector Croucher for attending the meeting and for the work of the police during Covid19, as it was appreciated that officers were doing an impressive job during difficult circumstances.