Maidenhead & Windsor

Neighbourhood policing will arrive in Maidenhead later this month.

The first phase of the Maidenhead initiative in the town is to go live in Pinkneys Green and Furze Platt on Thursday 30 November.

Neighbourhood policing is part of the government’s long-term vision to make the public sector more accountable and in touch with the communities it serves. It seeks to forge closer working relationships between the Maidenhead town’s dedicated police team, their partners and the public, including residents and businesses.

Residents will be introduced to the new style of community policing at a launch meeting at St Mark’s Hospital, St Mark’s Road, Maidenhead, on 30 November, starting at 7.30pm.

Insp Mark Harling, who is leading the roll-out of the initiative in the Royal Borough, said: “We are delighted that neighbourhood policing is being launched in Maidenhead.

“Pinkneys Green and Furze Platt have been affected by some incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, particularly in the last few months, and these have received notable coverage in the local media.

“Extra police patrols and a dispersal order have so far been two measures used to good effect in tackling problems in those areas, and the launch of neighbourhood policing means that everyone can get involved and have a say on the issues that affect their community.”

In line with the initiative, the Royal Borough has been split into 13 neighbourhoods, after consultation alongside the local authority and other fellow partners. Each of these neighbourhoods will be subject to the roll-out at some stage between now and 2008.

So far, the roll-out has occurred in Windsor town centre – a launch that went ahead in July this year – and Trinity, an area which forms the second part of the town centre neighbourhood. The latter was subject to a launch earlier this month.

Supt Dan Hale, local police commander for the Maidenhead Royal Borough, said: “Neighbourhood policing has so far proved highly effective in combating anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder wherever it has been implemented across the Thames Valley area.

“It is a long-term initiative and builds upon the very good partnership links that already exist in the neighbourhood. Hopefully, by all working together, we can make people feel safer, more secure and more involved in what happens in the area in which they live.”

Cllr Simon Werner, deputy leader for the Maidenhead Royal Borough and ward councillor for Pinkneys Green, said: “I am pleased that neighbourhood policing has come to Pinkneys Green and Furze Platt.

“In Pinkneys Green, we already have an active resident-led group, the Pinkneys Green Action Group, and this new policing forum will complement their work.

“This as an opportunity to get more members of the community involved, thereby strengthening what is already in place. We all have a part to play in making our local community safer.

“If you don’t say what the priorities should be then the police and other partners can’t work with you to resolve them. I would urge all members of the community to come along and be a part of this exciting new development to make the area safer for everyone.”

The neighbourhood policing team for Pinkneys Green and Furze Platt consists of Insp John McDonald, Sgt Adrian Blades, neighbourhood officers PC Greig Williams and PC Phil Ward, and PCSO Amy Shah.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead