An increase in shed burglaries in Colnbrook and anti-social behaviour on Parlaunt Road were the highlights of December’s report from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, the second since the boundaries were enlarged following the review in October.

Inspector Shelley Squire, in command of the new area of Colnbrook, Poyle and Foxborough said in her December update that police are trying to find funding to assist residents in making their sheds safer following the increase in burglaries in Colnbrook.

She also reported that police are still working with L&Q to evict residents in Drift Way who have committed crimes or anti-social behaviour.

Inspector Squires highlighted the improvements made to the garage area in Severn Crescent. Slough Borough Council granted money to secure the area on the condition that residents will tidy up the area and start using the garages again.

Recent neighbourhood policing achievements include:

• People using Pony and traps along Market Lane, Langley, have been spoken to and made to understand the concerns of local residents.
• A male from West Drayton was arrested for stealing diesel from lorries in Poyle. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Changes to the size of the neighbourhood policing areas were introduced in October in conjunction with changes to shift patterns to provide a better service.

Chief Inspector Geoff Robinson said at the time:

“The changes to the size of the neighbourhoods and the shift patterns of neighbourhood officers will improve the resilience of the force and ensure neighbourhoods are resourced by neighbourhood officers at core times, seven days a week.”

The boundaries of the new policing area are roughly the same as Slough Borough Council were proposing for the new ward of Colnbrook & Langley East in the Local Government Boundary Review last year, despite being abandoned by the LGBCE in May. Colnbrook with Poyle Parish Council meetings remain the vehicle for discussion on neighbourhood policing priorities, although it is not clear how the views of Foxborough residents will be factored into this forum.

Priorities of the enlarged area remain the same since Foxborough was added, but the focus has shifted to include hotspots in the wider area:

1. Traffic enforcement. To include speeding in Parlaunt Road and Ditton Park Road. Inconsiderate parking and driving.
2. Anti-Social Behaviour. In and around Parlaunt Road, Moreland Avenue, Drift Way and Blunden Drive.
3. Drugs. Dealing and usage in and around Longwood Avenue, Bluden Drive, The Hawthorns and Pippins Park.

While upbeat, Inspector Squire urged residents to take precautions during the winter months to avoid advertising an empty home.

Whilst the number of victims of crime continues to fall in most crime types, the increase in the number of burglaries, which was anticipated with the lengthening of the hours of darkness, has occurred.

52 incidents of crime were reported within a half mile of Colnbrook in November 2012 while 62 outcomes were recorded.