Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, has held the fourth in a series of public meetings across the Reading West constituency for residents to hear from senior police officers from Thames Valley Police. The meeting took place on Thursday 2nd May 2013 at The Well Church on Dawlish Road in Whitley.

The meeting gave local Whitley residents the opportunity to raise local policing issues with the Reading Policing Area commander, Superintendent Stuart Greenfield, and the head of the Whitley and Church Neighbourhood Policing Team, Inspector Lindsay James. Alok chaired the discussions, which included questions on a wide range of police-related issues.

Superintendent Stuart Greenfield was able to open the meeting with good news that there had been a 17% decrease in crime in Whitley, whilst Inspector Lindsay James spoke about the importance of an active and engaged community, encouraging attendees to get involved with the Neighbourhood Action Groups in either North or South Whitley.

Some of the issues raised at the meeting included dog fouling, Police engagement with young people, the visibility of Police officers in the community, noise complaints and speeding on Buckland Road.

Alok Sharma said: “These meetings always offer a good insight into the concerns of local residents and a great opportunity for people to be able to talk and hear feedback from senior Police officers. The feedback I have received from all of the Police public meetings that have been held has been very good and I am looking forward to holding further meetings across the Reading West constituency.”

Supt Stuart Greenfield, Local Police Area Commander for Reading, said: “I am grateful to everyone who attended the meeting as it provided me and my Neighbourhood Inspector, Lindsay James, a further insight into the current issues affecting people’s quality of life. We are focused on cutting crime in Reading and these types of meetings help us focus our priorities around the concerns of local residents.
Stuart continued: “Crime in Reading is at its lowest level in over 15 years, but we will continue to work hard to make sure there are fewer victims of crime, whilst targeting those that offend.”

Stuart concluded: “We will to continue to engage with our communities who can follow us on Twitter at @TVP_Reading and we will also be sending out message via Thames Valley Alert to residents with crime reduction advice, so I would urge people to sign up by visiting www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk.”

Photo: Alok Sharma chairs the public meeting with Reading Policing Area commander, Superintendent Stuart Greenfield, and the head of the Whitley, Church Neighbourhood Policing Team, Inspector Lindsay James and Nikki Drury, Reading LPA Neighbourhood Administrator