Bracknell

Police officers and staff, together with partnership representatives, have been commended for their ‘excellence’, which led to the conviction of a man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted teenage girls in Bracknell.

A departmental commendation ceremony, hosted by Thames Valley Police’s Head of Force CID, Det Ch Supt Andy Taylor, and Supt Rob Mason, who led the investigation, took place at Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road, Bracknell, on Tuesday (24/1).

Over forty recipients were commended for the Bracknell work they undertook as part of an investigation which resulted in Terry Michael Bryant, now aged 42, of Waverley Road, Tottenham, London, being given an indeterminate sentence at Reading Crown Court on 15 October 2010.

At the time of sentencing, the judge told the court that Bryant was being imprisoned for the public’s protection and may never be released. He was told that he would serve a minimum of seven years in prison, minus any days already spent in custody, before being considered for release on parole.

On 3 September 2010, Bryant pleaded guilty to 14 charges relating to offences he had committed against three teenage girls in Bracknell during November 2009 and May 2010. He pleaded not guilty to three of the 17 charges in total.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of Bracknell kidnap; two counts of threats to kill; four counts of sexual assault; one count of robbery; one count of rape; one count of making indecent images; one count of possessing indecent images; and one count of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of false imprisonment and one count of making threats to kill.

Speaking after the Bracknell ceremony, Supt Rob Mason said: “Terry Bryant continues to serve an indeterminate sentence for these truly horrific offences. He preyed on innocent young girls who were going about their normal day-to-day lives. Two of the girls were subjected to serious sexual assaults after being abducted from the streets and a third was grabbed from her home but thankfully managed to escape. Ultimately, Bryant was caught as a result of their bravery and full cooperation during the investigation. From their accounts, we were able to build a picture of the offender and the location where he took the girls. After Bryant’s arrest it became clear that the details provided by the girls proved to be remarkably accurate.

“The complex investigation saw officers and staff from across Thames Valley Police, and members of the public, come together to capture the person responsible, and deal with Bryant once he was arrested and charged. Although the Major Crime Unit led the investigation, we were supported by local officers from Bracknell and other areas of what was then ‘Berkshire East Basic Command Unit.”

Ch Insp Simon Bowden, local police commander for Bracknell, said: “The crimes committed by Terry Bryant were hugely impactive upon the community and brought about unprecedented local concern. The work of local officers supporting the Major Crime team’s investigation, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, and the communication with the public was an example of how different parts of the police service must work together to mitigate threat and ensure public confidence. I am extremely proud of the support and dedication that my officers and staff gave to this investigation, which ultimately resulted in justice being done for the victims of Bryant’s despicable crimes.”

List of those commended happy to be named in the media:

Major Crime

A/Det Insp Pete Dowling

A/Det Insp Andy Howard

Police staff member Sarah Abrams

Det Con Ian Bradshaw

Det Con Jacqueline Brierley

Det Con Corinne Cameron

Police staff Grace Francis

Police staff Graham Joel

Det Sgt Sarah Lawson

Police staff Michael Maughan

Det Con Colin McCarlie

Det Con Densel McIntosh

Det Con Phil Mullins

Det Con Anna-Maria Penycate

PC Marc Pugh

Det Con Christopher Pullen

Det Con Christopher Quinlan

Det Con Iain Roberts

Police staff Victoria Robinson

PC Iain Spinks-Gillen

Det Con Maria Sweeney

Police staff Alison Thornton

Det Sgt Peter Tomlinson

Det Con Ian Walker

Det Con Fran Whyte

Bracknell

Ch Insp Simon Bowden, Local police commander

Det Con Luke Simms – CID Bracknell

Ian Boswell on behalf of Bracknell Forest Council

Other

Former Berkshire Eat communication Team – Corporate Communications

Neil Knight on behalf of Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue

Det Con Lisa Child – Economic Crime Unit

Det Con Wendy Cushing – Child Abuse Investigation Unit

Police staff William Davies – Scenes of Crime

Police staff Alexandra Groves – Scenes of Crime

Det Con Robert Hughes – Force CID

Det Con Mo Rashid – Force CID

Police staff Phil Wenman – Long Hanborough

Police staff Richard Whitehouse – Scenes of Crime

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Local Bracknell people are being urged to spring into action this year and join in the Big Spring Clean to help keep Bracknell Forest clean.

The initiative, which is organised and steered by Bracknell Forest Council’s Take Pride campaign, starts on Monday, March 5, and will last for the whole month.

People are encouraged to recycle as much Bracknell street litter as possible, from glass and cans to plastic and paper.

Janet Dowlman, head of environmental services at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “The 2012 Bracknell Forest Council Spring Clean is an opportunity for everyone, whether you are an individual, a volunteer group, youth club, scouts, guides, school or business, to join together in an effort to give the borough a good clear up to welcome the spring.

“If you need equipment to get your spring clean going, we can provide you with litter pickers, high visibility tabards, gloves and bags. We will also arrange for our clean-up crews to come and collect the bags.

“Just register your interest and we’ll help you take part.”

The campaign is being organised in conjunction with Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘The Big Tidy Up’ campaign, and the council will be working in partnership with contractors and partners to co-ordinate events.

Dorothy Hayes, executive member for the Bracknell environment, said: “The Spring Clean is a great opportunity for residents to work together to ensure the area where they live, work and play, is clean and healthy.

“Not only is it a great way to care for the environment, it is also a great opportunity for communities to come together.”

To organise a litter pick call 01344 352000 and ask to speak to a Take Pride co-ordinator.

Bracknell Forest Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after the theft of a motorbike in Bracknell.

On Thursday (19/1), a silver CCM motorbike, index HY03 EUD, was left on the roundabout, known as Mill Pond, roundabout by the Bracknell McDonalds drive-thru in Mill Lane after a collision.

The bike had a disc-lock on the wheel to secure it whilst the injured bike rider was in hospital to have their injuries treated. The bike was stolen between 5.30pm and 7pm from the roundabout.

PC Michael Foot, of Bracknell police station, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the offence.

“This is an extremely busy roundabout, and it is more than likely that this bike would have been placed onto a vehicle of some sort and taken away, so someone must have seen this theft take place.”

The Bracknell victim suffered a fracture to his left hand and gravel rash on both legs. He received treatment at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot before being discharged.

Anyone with information should contact PC Foot via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 101

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Everyone knows it’s tough out there for Bracknell young people trying to get a job.

The free Bracknell Forest Partnership careers event takes place on Wednesday, January 25, at The Capitol Building (formerly Siemens) in Bracknell’s Southern Industrial Area.

It’s a fantastic window of opportunity for the Bracknell borough’s young people and their parents and carers to get the best possible information about education, training and employment prospects for the years ahead.

The event has been put together by the Bracknell Partnership, East Berkshire Education Business Partnership and business sponsors from across the borough.

More than 70 Bracknell employers, training and education providers and specialist advisers will be on hand in one place to offer information and practical help on getting ready for the world of work.

During the day, Year 11 students from Bracknell Forest secondary schools will ask questions, pick up ideas, listen to inspirational speakers and make contact with potential employers.

An evening session, between 5pm and 8pm, is open to students from all secondary school year groups, their parents and carers and to residents who may have already left education and need help getting into work or training. They can also get personal advice on how to put together a stand-out CV and polish up interview techniques.

David Cook, chairman of the Bracknell Forest Economic & Skills Development Partnership, said: “This is such an important event because we have so many employers, training and education providers under one roof.

”It’s a fantastic opportunity for the borough’s young people to find out about the complete range of qualifications they can achieve, the work skills they need and, perhaps more importantly, how those qualifications and skills meet the needs for real jobs in today’s businesses.

“There is a lot of very practical help and advice available and I urge young visitors to sign up for the CV writing and interview technique sessions at the evening event, and get coaching from business people about the world of work.

“We believe parents and carers will also get valuable insights and information to help and guide their children as they move into employment opportunities.

“There’s something here for everyone.’”

Cllr Mrs Mary Ballin, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for planning transportation and economic development, said: “This is a very important initiative to give the borough’s young people every opportunity to get into employment and training.

“The Bracknell Forest Partnership and the sponsors are working hard to make this careers event an outstanding success on the day. But we also hope it will leave a legacy that will benefit young people in Bracknell Forest in years to come.”

Bracknell Forest Council

In 2011 Bracknell Forest Council undertook the enormous task to ask the young people of the borough what services and facilities they wanted in their area.

More than 5,000 Bracknell young people took part in the Youth Participation Survey, with 400 more involved in focus groups.

The results of the Bracknell survey have now been released. Young people have said:

they enjoy the wide range of leisure and arts centres in the area;
sources of advice and guidance are good – at home, in school and in health and youth centres as well as from specialists when they are needed;
sometimes they lack the confidence needed to try new things;
the cost of transport is a barrier and for young people who have special needs – they need additional support to get to the best venues;
there needs to be somewhere in the town centre – open day and evening, designed and run by young people;
there needs to be provision for those in the 16 – 19 age range; and
young people would be encouraged to volunteer if they understood the purpose and value that it would have for others in their community.

The feedback from the survey has been used to help Bracknell Forest Council shape its proposal for the modernisation of the youth service for the 2012/2013 council budget.

Cllr Gareth Barnard, executive member for Bracknell children and young people, said: “The proposal to modernise the youth service comes at a time when there is a national debate on the future of services for young people.”

David Watkins, chief officer: strategy, resources and early intervention at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Bracknell Forest Council is looking at how it can respond to these needs and to modernise the youth service in response to this feedback. The proposed modernisation programme is looking at how we can make best use of the resources available to provide services for the young people who will benefit most.”

Bracknell Young people, their family and friends are urged to have their say by attending a public meeting to be held at 6.30pm on Friday, January 27, at the Coopers Hill Youth and Community Centre, Crowthorne Road North, Bracknell, RG12 7QS.

If you would like to attend the public meeting, please register your interest with Qa Research, who will be running the event on behalf of the council, by emailing bracknellyouthservices@qaresearch.co.uk or calling 0800 980 9030. Lines are open 10am until 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Bracknell Forest Council