Maidenhead & Windsor

A Maidenhead police clamp-down on antisocial behaviour carried out in Maidenhead during the May half term holiday resulted in a dramatic reduction in overall crime, compared with last year’s half term holiday and this year’s Easter holiday.

The aim of the operation was to reduce the number of incidents of antisocial Maidenhead behaviour and crime which have taken place during the previous school holidays. These incidents were generally perpetrated by offenders aged under 20, with the victims also generally in this age group.

The results of the Maidenhead week, which have just been released, show that incidents of criminal damage to buildings dropped from 13 during last year’s half term, and 18 during this year’s Easter holiday, to just four during half term. Criminal damage to motor vehicles was reduced from 35 in last year’s half term, and 47 during Easter 2007, to 23.

Police made four arrests, seized alcohol from under-age drinkers, and found one person in possession of cannabis.

All police officers and community wardens involved in the Maidenhead patrols received a crime and intelligence booklet which mapped hot-spots for crime and antisocial behaviour and listed youths who have an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) in place.

Officers carried out high-visibility patrols in the hot-spot areas and stopped and searched anyone seen acting suspiciously.

Inspector Mark Millward, from The Royal Borough police area, said: “This was a successful operation and we are pleased with the results. Working with our partner organisations provided the resources to undertake a variety of activities, to good effect.”

Officers used two head cameras to record evidence of antisocial behaviour in case of prosecution and to show to the parents of youths who were escorted home for behaving in an antisocial manner.

The operation was supported by the Mounted Section, who conducted high-visibility patrols around Maidenhead Magnet leisure centre car park to prevent car crime, and Kidwells Park to prevent robberies. Officers were backed-up by Tactical Support.

Police also worked with partner organisations during the week. The Royal Borough’s community wardens spent several hours putting security marking on to peoples’ bicycles in Kidwells Park. The licensing department worked with Trading Standards to carry out test purchasing, which involves people under the age of 18 going into shops and off-licences to see whether they will be served alcohol. Police worked with the two organisations to conduct licensing inspections. Some premises received police warnings and one is due to be prosecuted for selling alcohol to under-18-year-olds.

The antisocial behaviour officer worked with Environment Agency staff to conduct patrols on the River Thames to prevent youths jumping off the bridges.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead