To receive an update from Thames Valley Police.

Sergeant Philip Collings, Thames Valley Police (TVP), reported that TVP received emails raising the issue of e-scooters and cyclists in pedestrianised areas, particularly Maidenhead High Street. In response, TVP enacted positive action against the perpetrators. If the perpetrators were adults, they would be given a warning and recorded into the police system, followed by a fine if they repeated the offence. If the perpetrators were children, to avoid penalising the parents, under Sections 35 and 34, TVP could confiscate the property which was being used in an anti-social manner, with the child attending with their parents to pick up their personal property. Sergeant Philip Collings mentioned that TVP officers mixed up the times and days of the week when doing patrols to catch as many offenders as possible.

Inspector Natasha Gidda, Thames Valley Police (TVP), informed that the Neighbourhood Team’s (and wider TVP) priorities were engaging with seldom-heard communities, such as focusing on hate crimes; violence against women and girls, working with TVP partners and charities; and youth engagement. In addition, TVP were also resolving issues with a problem-solving approach around Maidenhead, such as anti-social behaviour and shop lifting. With neighbourhood policing, TVP had been under-resourced in the last couple of years but had recently increased its staff as neighbourhood policing was a priority.

Councillor Baskerville asked when did the crack down on e-scooters start and how many were confiscated. Sergeant Philip Collings answered that crack down started at September 2023 as part of new PCSOs starting a community project, and that 5-to-6 e-scooters were temporarily confiscated. While some perpetrators got the message, some young people had to be dealt with by the Youth Offending Service and social services albeit with positive results.

Councillor Baskerville subsequently asked whether TVP patrolled in the outline areas away from the Town Centre. Sergeant Philip Collings replied that TVP, while aware of the scale, were focused at the moment with getting one area under control before hopefully expanding out once more officers were recruited.

Councillor Shaw asked the direction in confiscating e-scooters, namely whether it was based on danger or specific instances of use. Sergeant Philip Collings stated that it was primarily uses in pedestrianised areas, with a significant activity outside Nicholson’s Shopping Centre and McDonald’s.

Councillor Shaw then asked whether the crackdown in e-scooter usage in pedestrianised areas was part of an updated priorities list from Maidenhead South Police. Inspector Natasha Gidda replied that each area had their own set of priorities chosen by the community which would be added to TVP patrol plans, ensuring communities were being heard. Sergeant Phillip Collings summarised that PSCOs received priorities from TVP HQ to all neighbourhood officers while also asking communities on their priorities which would also be added.

When Councillor Shaw asked if this information would have been released on Maidenhead South Police website in February 2024, Sergeant Phillip Collings and Inspector Natasha Gidda said that they would check this.

Councillor Reynolds highlighted car crimes, namely the use of signal devices to target keyless crimes and trying to open car doors. Alongside buying faraday bags/boxes he asked what else could residents do to protect their cars as well as what would be the best way to alert TVP of hotspots so that patrols could be stepped up. Sergeant Phillip Collings explained that faraday bags protect fob keys from having their signals cloned and thus potentially allow keyless cars to be stolen. He also advised that metal biscuit tins (with the lid on) could also prevent the mimicking of key signals.

Councillor Reynolds asked if this issue was a specific problem in Maidenhead compared to wider areas. Inspector Natasha Gidda replied that it was a nationwide sporadic problem rather than specific to an area. General crime prevention advice was generally published, such as through regular TV alerts. Sergeant Phillip Collings advised that it was vital to prevent cars from being taken as stolen cars were usually place in metal shipping containers to be smuggled abroad which would then affect the car trackers.

When Councillor Reynolds asked whether TVP provided faraday bags or it was down to the residents, to which Sergeant Phillip Collings confirmed that it was the latter.

After appreciating TVP, particularly their increasing presence and crack down on anti-social behaviour and shop lifting, Robyn Bunyan, Maidenhead Town Manager, asked whether TVP were committed to keep a presence of PSCOs on the High Street after the Police Crime and Commissioner Election on 2 May 2024. Sergeant Phillip Collings reassured this.

Robyn Bunyan then informed that residents and business owners appreciative of the crack down on e-scooters by TVP officers.

Councillor Martin asked if hate crimes were extended social media. Inspector Natasha Gidda replied that hate crime on social media could be reported through an online form or the non-emergency 101 phone line.

Councillor Douglas asked for insight on the recruitment of PCSOs, namely whether there had been any struggles with recruiting. Inspector Natasha Gidda replied that TVP had a good retention rate with their PCSOs relative to other TVP areas. While there was an upcoming recruitment drive, other TVP areas were losing their PCSOs or struggled to fill vacancies, and thus new recruits may be allocated to other areas to fill the vacancies.

Councillor Shaw asked if there was any recommendation from TVP on residents parking obstructively on pavements or across driveways and then get belligerent if they were approached about this. Sergeant Phillip Collings replied that parking was only handled by the Council and TVP would get involved if it was a dangerous obstruction, such as blocking access to an emergency vehicle. If any resident became abusive, TVP could get involved under public order depending on what was being said and done.

Councillor Baskerville asked how many repetitive shoplifters were caught and had appeared before the magistrates’ court and whether they were individuals or gangs. Inspector Natasha Gidda replied that she was uncertain of the exact number of offenders who went through the criminal justice system, though she sought to track and review this every three months to see where TVP were at. The top 10 shoplifters were career criminals whereby they would repeat the offence after they were released in prison, which led to TVP to look at other deterring methods. The top 10 shoplifters were also a mix of lone offenders as well as part of gangs.

Councillor Reynolds suggested that he (in his role as Cabinet Member for Communities) and TVP officers could walk around the Town Centre to discuss and observe some of the issues and consider what could be done to deter illegal and anti-social behaviour. Sergeant Philip Collings and Inspector Natasha Gidda agreed to the suggestion.

The Chair asked about drink spiking and the protection of women at night, making reference to the ‘Ask for Angela’ and ‘Ask for Annie’ campaigns. Inspector Natasha Gidda explained that TVP’s licencing officer had been conducting vulnerability training with clubs and hotel chains and licences. The Town Centre Sergeants in Windsor were in the early stages of running an operation to target drink spiking which involved education in the different establishments.

The Chair appreciated the officers attending the Forum.

(Sergeant Philip Collings and Inspector Natasha Gidda left the meeting at 7:04pm)