Maidenhead & Windsor

Police have stepped up their patrols following a spate of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in the Cox Green and Woodlands Park area of Maidenhead.

Over the Easter weekend (6 to 9 April), Maidenhead police received several calls from residents reporting incidents of disorder and criminal damage by a group of youths, particularly in Heynes Green.

Officers attended on a number of occasions and dispersed the group. On Friday 6 April, a 16-year-old boy was arrested in Heynes Green for disorderly conduct. He was later charged and will appear at Maidenhead Youth Court on Tuesday 24 April.

On Saturday 7 April, four young men were arrested in Cox Green Lane, Maidenhead on suspicion of criminal damage. Three of the men received fixed penalty notices (fines) and the fourth was released without charge.

On Monday 9 April, three youths were arrested in The Fairway, Cox Green. An 18-year-old man was given a fixed penalty notice for causing a disturbance. A 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were arrested for public order offences and released on bail until Tuesday 8 May.

In relation to previous incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area, two teenage boys were arrested on Friday 2 March on suspicion of criminal damage. They were charged and appeared at Maidenhead Youth Court on 12 April. A 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty and received a referral order of three months. A 16-year-old boy pleaded not guilty and was bailed until his next court appearance on Thursday 28 June.

On Saturday 24 March, two youths were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They are currently on bail pending further inquiries.

Sgt Martin Littlewood, Maidenhead neighbourhood policing sergeant for the Cox Green and Woodlands Park area, said: “We are taking a more robust approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour by groups of young people. Last week, officers took about 15 youths back to their homes and spoke to their parents.

“We are targeting the area with additional uniformed patrols to deter youngsters from gathering and creating a nuisance.

“In the longer term, we are working closely with the Royal Borough’s anti-social behaviour co-ordinator on follow-up measures with the young people and their families, including drawing up acceptable behaviour contracts for the main offenders.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead