Police hail crackdown on antisocial behaviour in Pangbourne Meadows a success

Police are continuing to target antisocial behaviour in Pangbourne, saying a recent campaign helped calm the situation and they are working on finding a long-term solution to the issues.

Officers enacted Section 35 powers at the start of the month, giving them power to ban people aged 10 and upwards from the area for up to 48 hours.

They could take under 16s to their homes or a place of safety.

This order ran from 4.40pm on Thursday, August 1, through to 4.40pm on Saturday, August 3, and applied to Pangbourne Meadows and its surrounds, which has been plagued by antisocial behaviour in recent months.

Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Olivia Bailey, said in a social media post she had spoken to Thames Valley Police about measures being taken to tackle the issue, and had been talking to concerned residents.

“The police have also asked me to pass on a request to anyone who witnesses any ASB to please report it to the police either online or via 101,” she wrote.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “The Section 34 dispersal order at Pangbourne Meadows worked well as a preventive measure for antisocial behaviour.

“Officers engaged with a number of people within the meadows who were aware of the order and the police’s power to disperse.

“There was a significant reduction in complaints from the public and we will utilise the power again in the future if the threshold is met.”

They added: “We are working with our partners to achieve a long-term solution to antisocial behaviour at the meadows.”