Bracknell

Generally speaking, Bullbrook in Bracknell is a low crime area. For example, in the past three months (April, May and June), there have only been four domestic burglaries and five thefts from motor vehicles in our neighbourhood.

There are no identified hotspots for Bracknell vehicle crime in Bullbrook: the five incidents were opportunist thefts, where motorists had left items on display in their parked cars, something we strongly advise people not to do.

At the Bullbrook neighbourhood forum, Bracknell residents identified parking, environmental issues and anti-social behaviour as their priorities.

PCSO Anita-Marie Kennedy is working with Bracknell council’s parking attendants to resolve the parking issues, particularly in the Deepfield Road area. We do issue tickets to cars that are causing an obstruction, as well as checking that parked vehicles are taxed, insured and roadworthy. Vehicles that don’t comply may be towed away.

We don’t really have a problem with groups of youths congregating outside the shops in Bullbrook. However, there have been reports of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour in Lily Hill Park, particularly around the Summer House. The neighbourhood team is carrying out Operation Lion Cub at weekends to tackle youth disorder across Bracknell, and we have dispersed groups of young people from the park.

Bullbrook is a mainly residential area, with a high proportion of elderly people. Although they are less likely than the rest of the population to become victims, the elderly tend to have a greater fear of crime. We try to provide reassurance through high visibility patrols and plan to hold meetings at venues that are readily accessible to older residents, such as sheltered accommodation and community centres.

When it comes to younger age groups, we have a good relationship with the three primary schools in Bullbrook, as well as with Bracknell and Wokingham College. We have given talks to students and recently held a mini forum, at which students completed a questionnaire outlining their concerns. Their greatest fear was for their own personal safety, in terms of assaults or robberies by other young people.

To allay their fears, we deployed the search arch at the college’s Church Road site and the Eastern Road site. I’m pleased to say that we found no offensive weapons at either site. This should help to reassure students and the general public that, despite recent media reports, most young people are law-abiding and serious incidents are very rare.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell