Reading

Thames Valley Police’s drugs team has swooped on two more addresses in Reading.

As part of Reading Operation Falcon, which tackles drugs and drug-related crime across Thames Valley, the team executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at an address in Hartland Road on Friday (20/8).

Terry Stoute, aged 30, from Hartland Road, Reading was arrested and subsequently charged with possessing Class B drugs. He has been released on bail to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday (27/8). Ashley Holder, aged 21, from Northumberland Avenue, Reading, was also arrested at the address and has been charged with possessing Class B drugs. He has been released on bail to appear at Reading Magistrates Court on 31 August.

The Reading Operation Falcon team carried out another warrant on Friday under the Misuse of Drugs Act at an address in Granville Road. A quantity of cash and Class B drugs was seized.

Grant Mills, aged 25, from Granville Road, has been charged with possessing cannabis and has been released on bail to attend Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 27. A 26-year-old woman was also arrested and released on bail to return to Loddon Valley police station on 30 September.

Falcon relies heavily on information that is received from the public. Anyone with information about Reading people involved in the supply of drugs should contact the Operation Falcon team via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

People are being invited to explore Reading and learn more about the town’s culture and history, as part of Heritage Open Day events.

Reading Heritage Open Days 2010, take place from September 9th-12th.

Every year, the Reading Council co-ordinates a programme for Heritage Open Days, working in partnership with English Heritage, to allow people access to architecturally and historically important buildings that are not normally open to the public.

There is also a varied supporting programme of walks and other activities that focus on Reading’s local heritage and culture.

This year, the Council has organised for some exciting new additions to add to the programme, as well as a new look guide, which categorises the events and activities into areas: town centre, north, south, east and west Reading.

Highlights taking place in the Reading town, include a guided tours around Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins, an Industrial Heritage Film Show, Live Drama at Reading Central Library, a Waterways Walk led by Reading Civic Society knitting workshop at Jacksons and a Who Do You Think You Are? session at Reading Central Library.

To the north of Reading, a Living Memories Reminiscence Morning will be hosted by U3A (University of the Third Age) at New Directions North Reading Centre in Caversham whilst Joan Dils, President of the History of Reading Society, will lead a Caversham in History Guided Walk,

There’s a Reading Green Park wind turbine discovery day in the south of the town and a chance to learn all about the history of St Giles Church.

Get a behind the scenes tour of the Museum of English Rural Life in Redlands Road and a peak into the history of Royal Berkshire Hospital at the Royal Berkshire Medical Museum.

And at Berkshire Record Office go Inside the Vaults and find out all about Berkshire’s fascinating history.

Tom Stanway, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Culture and Sport, said: "The Heritage Open Days are a great way to find about all the hidden gems in Reading. Whether is to tour the Abbey ruins and find out about its past or to find out about how we can generate power for the future, I know that we have something to cater for everyone. By offering more each year we are able to show what a vibrant, exciting and historic town we live in. I hope everyone who goes and finds out about the hidden aspects of each building, will have the pride in the town that we live in increased.”

For further information, call Jo Keen, during office hours, on 0118 937 2373.

Reading Borough Council

ReadingThames Valley Police has arrested two men on suspicion of causing criminal damage after graffiti was put on a building in central Reading.

A 19-year-old man from central Reading and a 23-year-old man from Bracknell were both arrested yesterday (18/8) after graffiti was put on car park walls in Weldale Street.

Both men have subsequently admitted the offence and have been issued with Fixed Penalty Notices of £80.

PC Katy Fisher, the Reading anti-social behaviour officer, said: “Tackling graffiti has been identified as a priority issue by the community in the Central Reading neighbourhood.

“In this case the offenders have been fined, but other people engaged in this type of activity should be warned that their actions could see them being charged and facing criminal prosecutions.”

Anyone with any information about graffiti in the Central Reading neighbourhood should contact the neighbourhood team on 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

A series of organised walks around Reading has been organised by the Council’s Culture and Sport Development Team.

On August 20th, a walk around Linear Park, Calcot, Reading is taking place. This is a led walking excursion.

September sees three walks at Palmer Park on September 7th, Reading Museum Riverside walk on September 22nd, and a walk from Reading Museum to the Riverside Museum on September 24th.

As part of Black History Month, a pied piper trail led walk will begin from Las Iguanas Restaurant (Oracle), on October 29th. And in December, a Christmas walk will take place in Reading. Free transport is available from various pick up points.

Jeanette Skeats, the Reading Council’s Policy Advisor for Culture and Sport, said: "Reading is steeped in history and has many beautiful open spaces. This walking programme is a great way for the people of Reading and visitors to the town to find out more about Reading and the place they live.

"I would encourage everyone to join in. Walking is not only a good way to exercise but these organised walks are an opportunity to meet new people."

Kingsley Royal, Reading Football Club’s popular mascot, took a break from pre-season training recently to join a special football themed heritage walk.

Led by club historian, David Downs, the tour took a number of significant football sights including the lion in Forbury Gardens, which features on the club’s badge.

A series of free, Reading guided heritage walks continue throughout the summer and autumn.

For further information on Reading Walks and the guided heritage walks, email Jennifer.cottrell@reading.gov.uk or call (0118) 937 4051.

Reading Borough Council

Local Reading law firm Clarkslegal are delighted to announce the launch of Forbury Business Club, an initiative to encourage and support new enterprise.

Forbury Business Club, Reading will provide small businesses with expert, legal and commercial services that are easy to access, low cost and business focussed. As well as affordable, specialist legal services, FBC members become part of an enterprise network and can take advantage of extensive networking and cross-referral opportunities with like-minded companies through our events and marketing activities.

Forbury Business Club will be formally launched at an evening reception at Clarkslegal’s head office at One Forbury Square, Reading on Thursday 23rd September. The event will include an exhibition from artists think lockhart, a local organisation whose work has been showcased at Clarkslegal’s offices for over five years.

To receive an invitation to the launch of Reading Forbury Business Club, or for further information, please contact Matthew Evans on 0118 958 5321 or mevans@clarkslegal.com.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a burglary in Reading in the early hours of Monday morning (16/8).

The incident happened in Waldeck Street, Reading between 1am and 1.30am.

The Reading victim, a 31-year-old woman, was assaulted in the incident and is believed to have passed out for a short period of time. She suffered bruising and soreness around her face.

The offenders stole three laptops, two mobile phones and a ring in the incident, having gained entry through the front door.

Det Con Kara Ellis, from Reading CID, said: “This is an unusual incident as burglars tend to try to avoid contact with the people living in the property they have targeted.

“We are not sure at this stage why the victim was assaulted. Fortunately she has not suffered any serious injuries, although she has been left shaken by her ordeal.

“I’m keen to speak to anyone with any information about this incident or anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in this area either shortly before or after the incident.”

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Reading CID via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police, as part of Reading’s Community Safety Partnership, are planning a week of action, starting today, in the Oxford Road area.

Following consultation with the local Reading Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs) and local residents the week of action will try to address many of their local priorities such as litter, drug dealing and antisocial behaviour relating to street drinking.

Street drinking has reduced considerably since Reading Borough Council introduced a Designated Public Place Order for the Oxford Road area in 2006. Police will increase their patrols during this week to highlight the order that is already in place.

Designated Public Place Orders are not drinking bans but give Reading Police powers to request someone to stop drinking if they appear drunk and are causing or likely to cause antisocial behaviour. If they continue their alcohol will be confiscated and poured away and if they refuse they can be arrested or fined.

Persistent street drinkers will be offered help and support, and told how their behaviour affects others in the neighbourhood. Officers will also target local shops selling alcohol to ensure that they refuse to serve anyone who is drunk.

Thames Valley Police is encouraging Reading residents to call the non-emergency phone line – 0845 8 505 505 – to report incidents of street drinking.

Environmental Visual Audits will also be taking place during the action week targeting any areas blighted with litter, flytipping and dumped rubbish. Enforcement action will be taken where flyposting, unauthorised trade waste and abandoned cars are found.

The Police and the Council’s parking officers will be out and about enforcing parking issues and other issues like cycling on pavements.

The Reading Council’s Policy Adviser for Communities, the Voluntary Sector, Economic Development and Performance, Cllr Jamie Chowdhary said: "This initiative not only highlights the importance of police presence to address local issues effectively but also demonstrates the valued input from our NAG groups resulting in the wishes of the local communities to be promptly addressed."

Insp Graham Markham, from the Oxford Road Reading neighbourhood policing team, said: "Oxford Road is served by a strong and dedicated neighbourhood policing team and a lot of good work takes place in the area every single day. This week of action gives us the opportunity to highlight that work and highlight how we are tackling the priority issues that have been identified by the community."

Reading Borough Council

Thames Valley Police has charged a 21-year-old man with theft following an incident in Reading on Thursday (12/8).

Paul Sandhu, from Southampton Street, Reading, has been released on bail to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 24 August.

The charge relates to an incident in Kings Road, at around 2.50pm, where a mobile phone was stolen from a 47-year-old man.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Reading Borough Councillors have condemned those responsible for an arson attack on a brand new play area in Tilehurst as "mindless vandals".

On Thursday night (August 5) Reading vandals ripped up parts of a newly installed artificial surface at the play area in The Meadway, placed it in a nearby half-pipe for skateboarders and BMX cyclists and set it alight.

The play area was only opened last month.

Emergency repairs have already been carried to make both the play area and the BMX track safe to use.

The new Reading Meadway play area was built with £37,500 of funding from the Government’s Playbuilder scheme, funding which is longer available to the Council for new projects after it was cut by the Government.

The costs of repairing the damage will be borne by the Council and is expected to run into hundreds of pounds.

Cllr Chris Harris, Policy Advisor for Reading Education and Children’s Services, said: "I am appalled by this mindless act of vandalism. It is completely senseless and, at a time when there is very little money available to the Council to provide valuable facilities for young people like this play area, it puts even greater pressure on the limited funds available. I very much hope the culprits are caught."

Tom Stanway, Lead Councillor for Reading Culture and Sport, said: "’The repairs we now have to do on the play area take scarce money from other areas. Whilst the perpertators might have got momentary pleasure from doing this damage, I hope that they realise what they have done and that they have blighted the lives of local residents, and spoilt the pleasure of those children who wanted to play there today.”

Reading Borough Council

Thames Valley Police has made five arrests in connection with an aggravated burglary in Reading.

An 18-year-old man from West Reading, a 19-year-old man from Tilehurst, a 17-year old boy from Southcote, a 22 year-old man from Tilehurst and a 21-year-old man from Tilehurst were all arrested on Friday (6/8) following an aggravated burglary in Prospect Street on 5 August.

They have been released on bail to return to Loddon Valley police station on 15 October.

Det Insp Nick Watts, from Reading CID, said: “Our investigation into this incident has clearly moved forward with these arrests. However, there is still a lot of work to do and we still need to hear from anyone who either witnessed the incident or who has information that can help us progress our inquiry.”

Anyone with any information should contact Reading CID via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police, or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading