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Joanne Daley, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, Michael Squire, neighbourhood inspector for Thames Valley Police and Chris Williams from Community Safety Partnerships and engagement adviser
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Appeal for community to halt yobs

By Anna Roberts
March 11, 2010

Shouting, spitting and swearing were problems up for discussion at a conference in Whitley last week.

People gathered to discuss anti-social behaviour in Reading, how it could be tackled and who could be counted on to do so.

The event, in the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre at Madejski Stadium, offered residents, Reading police officers and council staff advice on how to deal with anti-social behaviour.

The gathering followed a rallying call from Government Communities Secretary John Denham.

He wanted people – called ‘community champions’ – to get together and challenge anti-social behaviour in the area.

In 2004 Dee Park was pinpointed as an anti-social behaviour hotspot. But residents got together and tackled it.

It was so successful, in 2006 the then-Home Secretary Charles Clarke named the Tilehurst estate as an example where community endeavours really worked.

The latest event, which also focussed on serious anti-social issues such as crack houses, took place last Thursday.

Mr Denham, who spoke before the event, said: “The Government has given police and councils strong powers and tools to deal with the scourge of anti-social behaviour.

“We should acknowledge how much has been achieved and take comfort in knowing the number of people who think it is a problem in their neighbourhoods has fallen to the lowest level since records began.

“But there are still some communities where such behaviour causes real misery. The public have every right to feel confident that the police and councils will give a high priority to tackling the problem, and they need to know where they can go to get answers.

“Local communities are at their strongest and most confident when residents themselves come together, work to shared goals and are actively involved in helping to solve the problems that affect them. I’ve had the opportunity of seeing first-hand how neighbourhoods up and down the country have been transformed by the spirit and resilience of those determined to make a difference.”

Booklets will also be delivered to homes in Reading encouraging people to become community champions.

For further information, visit www.asb-events.org.

aroberts@reading-epost.co.uk

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fernan
05/04/2010 at 16:59

Bahumbug - at the risk of being pigeon holed I went to the Best Public school in Reading which just happened to be between Pepper Lane and Shinfield Road.

Nimrod Maximus, Methylated
12/03/2010 at 17:43

It seems to me that whatever initiative is announced to deal with low-level crime, there is always a collection of people prepared to pour cold water on it. So come on... rather than being armchair critics, how about you moaners actually do something productive for once?

Hboy, Caversham
12/03/2010 at 16:45

Hey Nimrod take it all back you must have money to pay people to agree with you.Not a dealer are you?.No joking aside you said you went to school in the area why?.

bahumbug, Reading
12/03/2010 at 15:17

The point is Nambi that those three actions are a direct result of disrespect to all of those around you. Once you have that disrespectful arrogance instilled and no one pulls you up for it, it leads to more serious anti social behaviour. Zero tolerance required.

The Realist
12/03/2010 at 15:12

Nimrod seems spot on. Whitley is the A - hole of Reading. That's why I live in Emmer Green, about as far away within Reading from Whitley as you can get!

Matthew L
12/03/2010 at 14:15

Bahumbug - Yes you are right, I spend most of my time in Prague but come back to Reading for the odd weekend. Oh yes and I went to school in RG2 so I know the score. It was a hovel then and even more so now.

Nimrod Maximus
12/03/2010 at 10:16

What is your problem Nimrod if you hate whitley that much move out of it.Dont give the gab you dont live there,because from all you are saying on here seems like you are one of the baddies from whitley.You cant be at work despite what you say cause your allways on here.You said your not retired like me and some of the other oldies on here.If you were as rich as you say you wouldn't be living anywhere near Reading or even in england.So Nimrod you brag you know whitley too well to be other than a baddie resident of the area.

bahumbug, Reading
11/03/2010 at 21:28

yes because shouting, spitting and swearing are the biggest problems in Reading...

Ambi
11/03/2010 at 14:52

Joanne Daley, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator - an unfortunate job title.

One who knows, Chaversham
11/03/2010 at 13:18

It took a conference to realise that shouting, spitting and swearing are problems. How much cash was wasted on this???? Community Champions in Whitley?? That reads Cage Fighting.