To receive the above report.

Police Sergeant Phil Collins, sergeant for Ascot, Maidenhead West and Windsor West introduced the item. Councillor Price asked why theft of pedal cycles was low in central Windsor compared to last year and Phil Collins said it was due to the lockdown. Councillor Price asked why young people were increasingly carrying knives and Phil Collins said this was because young people who were involved in low level criminal activity carried a knife as protection, in case they were targeted by rival drug groups. Stabbing incidents that took place were not random.

Councillor Price asked if there was a pattern in the thefts from motor vehicles and Jeffrey Pick said people were randomly checking car doors that were unlocked at night. In Ascot, car break-ins took place in cars with visible golf clubs. The Clear Car Campaign was set out to inform car owners who left their personal belongings on display. Tourists who left their luggage on display were a key concern in central Windsor.

Councillor Price asked what happened to bikes that were recovered and unclaimed and Jeffrey Pick said pictures of the bikes were published. If they remained unclaimed, they were auctioned, and the money was invested in the Thames Valley Police (TVP) proceeds from crime funds.

The Vice Chairman asked if Jeffrey Pick ran any surgeries on crime prevention during COVID-19 and the Forum was informed one surgery had taken place in both Maidenhead and Windsor during the Knife Crime Week. The Winter Burglary Campaign was being promoted, including fake CCTV, shed alarms and video doorbells. Home security surveys were suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions but were due to resume as surveys could be undertaken outdoors. Community Speedwatch was also suspended and resultantly had an impact on crime prevention.

Councillor Hilton said the Neighbourhood Action Group that he Chaired was restarting via Zoom and was joined by the students from Charters School to gain a new perspective. Councillor Hilton asked about the burglary rate in Windsor, which was low in his ward and Phil Collins said two burglars had been arrested on the day of the Forum meeting, however information could not be shared due to confidentiality reasons and ongoing investigations. Information about burglaries was limited as names could not be released until the suspect was convicted, and evidence needed to be gathered before presenting to the court. Jeffrey Pick said residents were encouraged through County Lines to pass on intelligence to support the police in arrests, such as doorbell and CCTV footage or inform of suspicious activities.

Councillor Cannon asked if action was being taken on the illegal use of e-scooters or was there information sharing only. Phil Collins said recent guidance stated that hired e-scooters were legal to be used on roads in the borough, but not private e-scooters, which were only allowed on private land. Under 165A, e-scooters could be seized if there was not a valid insurance, a license and a helmet. The law for private and hired e-scooters were different and it was hard to distinguish.

Ed Wilson requested for more police and community warden presence in Lodge Way and Keeler Close, as the activity there was concerning. Phil Collins said a house closure order was issued in the areas for 3 months and TVP was aware of the issues and would act upon it. Ed Wilson asked for an item on how well TVP work with Community Wardens to be added on the agenda. Phil Collins and Jeffrey Pick said Community Wardens were integral to TVP and shared information.

John Webb asked if there was a commercial opportunity for businesses to set up a left luggage to a bike storage system to reduce theft and would it be supported by the Forum. Jeffrey Pick said this was a good idea and would have to be well publicised. It was important to deal with the issue sensitively as the impression that Windsor was a high theft area would not be appetising. Residents were being contacted via social media and alerts. However, tourists were harder to contact, as hotels do not want to give the impression that Windsor was dangerous.