Police pledge to tackle antisocial behaviour in Newbury town centre

Tackling antisocial behaviour in Newbury town centre is a top priority for its residents.

Thames Valley Police carried out a survey to find out what actions residents would like to see.

The responses will form the force’s priorities in the town for the next three months.

The top request was for the neighbourhood team to work on yobs in the town and the City Playground.

Second priority is to tackle drug dealing in three areas: Wendan Road, Fifth Road and Wash Common.

And the third priority is complaints about e-scooters and e-bikes.

This comes days after Thames Valley Police revealed that across its area it had seized 118 such devices in the three-month period June 1 to September 8 – 21 of these were this month.

They said that they had received complaints about people driving carelessly and at excessive speeds.

Community policing command inspector Mike Darrah, for Thames Valley Police, said: “Dangerous, illegal, and inappropriate use of both e-scooters and e-bikes poses serious risks in the community and is something the public continue to rightly raise to us as a concern.

“These stats highlight the progress we are making in dealing with this issue.”

The Newbury neighbourhood team also gave updates on two areas of concern.

It said it is continuing to patrol The Nightingales in response to reports of anti-social behaviour, and organised several community clear-up days.

The area will no longer be on the priority list, but officers will continue to visit.

They have also been tackling an issue of youngsters breaking into the Newbury Manor Hotel, which closed in 2016.

Officers say they worked with West Berkshire Council and the site’s owners to ensure 24-hour security was in place to prevent unauthorised people from accessing the buildings.