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Woodford Park where the PC was beaten
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Vow to tackle yobs after PC beaten by gang

By Lewis Rudd
October 08, 2010

Police have vowed to get tough with anti-social yobs in Woodley after an officer was attacked by a mob of underage drinkers.

Top cops have revealed they are launching a new anti-social behaviour policy to tackle the issue after the officer, who is just two months out of police training, was repeatedly kicked and stamped on by a group of around 20 teenagers he was trying to break up in Woodford Park in Headley Road on Friday night.

Police officer beaten to the ground by youths

The PC was attacked after he and a colleague confronted one alcohol-swigging 15-year-old to take him back to the police station so he could be collected by his parents.

The incident is the latest in a long-line of anti-social behaviour reported across the borough.

Inspector Pete Oliphant, deputy commander of Wokingham police, said he hopes a new matrix reporting scheme where incidents of repeat offending are recorded will help officers stop those who are repeatedly behaving anti-socially.

Insp Oliphant said: “Parents should make it their business to know where and what their youngsters are up to.

“They should also make it their business to know who they are hanging around with because the last thing we want is for more kids to get off the straight and narrow path.

“We want a peaceful community and the people need to be responsible to make sure that happens.”

While Operation Lion Cub has been rolled out by the forces to try to combat the problem in Woodley and other areas, officers are now turning their attention to parents.

PC Naomi Jolliffe, anti-social behaviour officer for Wokingham police, said: “The issue is caused by a minority who stir up incidents and encourage the rest of the group.

“Parents need to be certain where their children are when they go out in the evenings, most parents are shocked to find where there children are really going when they say they are going to local youth clubs, and even more shocked by the activities their children are involved in.

“If youths continue this behaviour, we will look at various consequences and a dispersal order is not out of the question.”

Councillor Beth Rowland, leader of Woodley Town Council, who has been involved with the town’s Neighbourhood Action Group, described the attack as a “disgrace to the people of the town”.

“We have had a problem with anti-social behaviour in Woodley, particularly in the town centre in the summer when plant pots and flowers were destroyed,” she said.

“It was petty stuff and nothing as serious as this.

“We are sadly living in a society where people think this sort of behaviour is acceptable, and it is not acceptable.”

The injured officer has since recovered and is back on the beat returning to full duties.

Anyone with information is asked to call 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

- A 15-year-old boy from Woodley arrested in connection with the incident has been re-bailed until November 20.

He was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

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Most recent user comments 10 of 10

Thank God they're finally bringing in the matrix reporting scheme. The public can feel safe at last.

IB Fudger
13/10/2010 at 14:38

"Top cops have revealed they are launching a new anti-social behaviour policy...".

My grundies will surely soil themselves over this no doubt very harsh and meaningful policy.

Regards,

The Keystone Cops

SCAR
11/10/2010 at 11:19

if this is what it takes to get our coppers out and about - lets break into their homes, steal their cars etc etc

That's Life
08/10/2010 at 13:11

About time a few corner shops either had their licences revoked for selling alcohol to underage kids or if over 18's are buying it they are prosecuted for supplying minors.

Hello to Jen & Siobhan
08/10/2010 at 13:08

I'm getting a sense of deja vu.

mavdo, Wokingham
08/10/2010 at 12:51

“If youths continue this behaviour, we will look at various consequences and a dispersal order is not out of the question.”

A dispersal order?! I'm sure the little toerags are petrified! I thought the police were trying to disperse them when that copper got a beating?

God help us all if that's the best they can come up with.

TilehurstBird
08/10/2010 at 12:12

Matrix reporting!!! Sod that, TVP should be out there with the cattle rods. I want to read and endorse Police brutality.

Nimrod Maximus, England needs Mrs Thatcher
08/10/2010 at 11:00

Parents are shocked when they find out what their children have been up to? Really? Surely you can small alcohol on a teenager's breath even if they've drunk 1/2 a bottle of listerine to try and cover it up. At 15 my parents could suss very quickly if I'd been at the drinks trolley (showing my age here), no matter what I tried to do to disguise the fact.

But it is good to hear that at last this type of behaviour is being tackled in a holistic way; addressing the root cause of the problem and not just moving it on somewhere else.

Common Cents, Reading
08/10/2010 at 10:45

Yes, beat as many civilians as you like, but touch a copper and then they will pull their finger out! Can't wait to see how the get on, fail like always no doubt! Useless

Brad From Birch Hill, Bracknell
08/10/2010 at 10:45

‘Insp Oliphant said: “Parents should make it their business to know where and what their youngsters are up to.’

Inspector Oliphant, clearly we are long past the stage where we expect dopey parents to take any responsibility for their wayward children. Arrests need to be made, social services need to be informed of this severe lack of parental care and frankly jail time needs to be handed out to some of these kids. You need to take a grip of this situation, one of your own was attacked for gods sake.

‘Inspector Pete Oliphant, deputy commander of Wokingham police, said he hopes a new matrix reporting scheme where incidents of repeat offending are recorded will help officers stop those who are repeatedly behaving anti-socially.’

So, the recording of repeat offenders was not happening before? Deary me.