Slough

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a robbery in Slough.

At about 1.15am on Saturday (25/2), a 35-year-old man was walking along Elmshott Lane, Cippenham, Slough.

He was approached by two men who he believes were planning to rob him.

He ran away but fell over and believes that the men went through his pockets stealing his iPhone 4S, Paul Smith wallet and keys.

The Slough victim is unable to give any further description of the two offenders. He was not injured.

Thames Valley Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time who noticed any suspicious behaviour or has any information which may help officers with their investigation.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact PC Ryan Elliott via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the Slough police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

The Slough book of remembrance, currently housed in the civic entrance to the old Town Hall, is to be removed next week and stored ready for its new home.

The book is a registered war memorial and has been part of the Slough Town Hall since 14 May 1950 when it was moved from the Nurses Home and Health Centre which was on Burlington Road.

As part of the remodelling of the old Town Hall as it becomes a new primary school, there is an in principle agreement for the book of remembrance to be relocated to St Mary’s Parish Church, Church Street, Slough.

The book and casing will be removed next week and stored safely by the Mayor’s office.

A cabinet maker has already been tasked with creating a setting for the book so it can be sited in the church – making it near the main town war memorial which is in the church grounds.

Mayor of Slough, councillor Sukhjit K Dhaliwal, said: “As part of the remodelling of the Town Hall the book of remembrance has to be moved from where it has rested for more than 60 years.

“As a listed war memorial we are ensuring future generations will be able to have access to it, by placing it near its stone companion within St Mary’s Church.”

Slough Borough Council

A husband and wife from Slough were found guilty on 15 February of a series of fraud offences, following a trial at Reading Crown Court. Another man had already pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a number of related offences.

Tahir Malik, aged 44, of Wexham Road, Slough, was a mortgage broker who was made bankrupt in his former name of Amjad Ali. He ran a business in Farnham Road, Slough, called Enterprise Mortgage Solutions, as an appointed representative of Mortgage Next Network Ltd.

Malik pleaded guilty on 25 August 2011 to obtaining services from Mortgage Next by deception in 2004 by concealing his convictions and bankruptcy, and giving a false former employer. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, one relating to a mortgage on his former home in West Wycombe in 2007 and the other to an attempted purchase of a property in Windmill Road, Slough, in 2008.

Malik also pleaded guilty to eight other offences: five of fraud and three of obtaining a money transfer by deception. All of these offences involved his co-accused, Patrick Kamande, aged 34, of Trent Road, Slough, and one involved Kamande’s wife, Mary Kimani, aged 30, of Elliman Avenue, Slough.

Between 2005 and 2009, Kamande purchased or attempted to purchase a number of properties with mortgages brokered by Malik. For some of these he used false names.

One of the properties bought under a false name was later “sold” to Kamande and another to Kimani via mortgages, thus releasing equity.

Although Kamande and Kimani obtained some mortgages using their real names, they gave false details about their employment and immigration status. Kamande was in fact prohibited from employment by the UK Border Agency.

At the start of his trial, Kamande pleaded guilty to possessing a false identity document with intent (a forged Kenyan passport).

All three defendants will return to Reading Crown Court on 19 March for sentencing.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Businesses on commercial estates in Langley are being invited to take part in Slough Borough Council and the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) joint project, Estates Excellence, on Monday, February 27 at Langley Scout Hall in Gosling Road.

Launching in February, Estates Excellence is phase 2 of the Slough regional project to improve the health, safety and welfare of businesses and employees in the borough.

The project is spearheaded by organisations including the HSE, the council, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the borough’s business organisations and the Slough Working Well Project.

Estates Excellence helps businesses on the estates, especially those which are small and medium-sized, to identify areas of health, safety and wellbeing.

Visits are made to most small and medium sized businesses on the commercial estates in Langley and will be followed by no-cost training for the businesses and employees.

Free Slough training is provided during that week, covering a wide range of topics such as reducing health and safety red tape, risk assessment, fire safety, practical manual handling and more.

Bill Campbell, senior environmental health officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “Rather than rigidly enforce health and safety law, we actively work with our business communities to bring about real change in working conditions and in reducing accidents and work-related illness rates in the borough.

“Following the success of our previous Estates Excellence project, we have learned it is an effective way of working with businesses in a concentrated time frame; offering no-cost training to any employers or staff.

“Thanks to 1st Langley Scouts where this training is being delivered at an excellent local venue.”

Mike WiIcock, HSE’s head of operations for the South East, added: “Employers and small businesses want to get health and safety right, but have a lot on their plate, particularly in the current climate. Estates Excellence will address all the commonly asked questions about areas of health and safety, but also tailors support to each individual business and its needs.

“Good health and safety is good for business, and I encourage employers in Slough to come along.”

Businesses who would like more information should contact the Estates Excellence team by email on nick.kemp@hse.gsi.gov.uk or calling Bill Campbell at Slough Borough Council on 01753 875055.

Slough Borough Council

A man who raped a woman in Slough has been given an indeterminate sentence with a minimum of twenty-eight months, and is prohibited from entering any park that is accessible to the public.

Tomasz Andrzej Bednarski, aged 43, of Carmarthen Road, Slough, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday 17 February after pleading guilty during an earlier hearing.

Shortly after 7.20pm on Wednesday 27 July last year, a member of the public contacted Thames Valley Police after they saw a man forcing himself on a woman in Godolphin Park, Slough.

Officers immediately attended where they found the Slough victim and a man, later identified as Bednarski. They also spoke to some witnesses, one of whom said that they had captured some of the incident on their mobile phone. Upon watching this, officers immediately arrested Bednarski on suspicion of rape.

The victim had no initial recollection of what had happened, so she was taken to Slough police station where she was seen by specially trained officers.

She was able to provide officers with an account the following day (28/7). She stated she had consumed two beers during the day before going to the park, where she sat down on a bench to make a phone-call. She recalled saying hello to two men sat on another bench – one of which later transpired to be Bednarski. The trio got talking and further drink was consumed. Her memory of what happened thereafter was blank.

One witness who provided Slough police with information said how they had heard the victim call for help, while trying to push off the offender.

During police interview, Bednarksi told police how he was in the Slough park with his friend when they got talking to the victim. He explained how his friend and him left a short time later, but that he returned on his own because he did not want the victim to be alone while under the influence as she could become a target. The pair then got talking he said, and whatever happened thereafter was consensual and that he never raped her.

Det Cons Leigh Roxburgh, the investigating officer, said: “Bednarski denied committing the offence for a very long time. However, he eventually changed his plea to guilty as the evidence against him was overwhelming.

“In court, the judge referred to Bednarksi as a ‘sexual predator’ who had shown no remorse, and posed a significant risk to the public.

“The victim was in no state to consent to anything and Bednarksi clearly took advantage of her.

“Thankfully, incidents of this nature are very rare in Slough.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council has sealed a traffic regulation order which will see disabled bays in the borough enforceable.

Disabled bays on residential roads will now be accompanied by sign stating the bay is for disabled badge holders only. If a vehicle is parked within these Slough bays without a disabled blue badge clearly displayed, they are liable to receive a fine.

Anyone with a valid blue badge can park in these bays without a time limit.

Due to the number of bays in Slough, signs will be put up in phases. Some bays will need to be removed and reinstated to the correct dimensions and locations before they can be enforced and these will not have signs until the ground markings are correct.

The council’s parking team will then make sure fines are issued soon after the signs have been erected for those flouting the law.

Melissa Payne, acting team leader enforceable parking for Slough Borough Council, said: “Disabled parking bays are there for those who need it most. By enforcing the rules, we will hopefully keep these bays open for those in true need.”

Councillor James Swindlehurst, commissioner for Slough neighbourhoods and renewal said: “We’re very pleased to now be able to enforce disabled bays throughout Slough.

“It is unacceptable for those without a blue badge to park in these reserved bays. With these new powers, the council will issue penalties for those who park illegally.”

Letters are going to be sent to all residents that use disabled parking bays.

To report a vehicle parked without a blue badge in a bay which does not have the new signs, email parking@slough.gov.uk.

Slough Borough Council.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following an incident in which a Slough man suffered a minor stab wound.

At about 4.30pm yesterday (19/2), an 18-year-old man was walking in the Wentworth Avenue area of Slough town when he was assaulted by a group of men.

During the incident, the man suffered a minor stab wound to his arm and he was treated for his injuries at Wexham Park Hospital. He has since been discharged.

Police are investigating whether this incident is linked to disorder in the Marescroft Road area of Slough town at about 6pm, following which three people were arrested.

A 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray. All three have been released on bail until 5 March.

A Section 60 order under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act was put in place in the area of the disorder overnight. Such orders give officers the right to search people in a defined area within a set period of time, to prevent any further incidents.

Det Insp Nicky Hurdley, of Slough CID, said: “In connection with the incident in which the man suffered the minor stab wound, I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident in the Wentworth Avenue area, or anyone with information as to who was responsible, to come forward.

“We are not treating this as a random attack and at this time believe the victim and the offenders may be known to each other.”

Insp Nigel Doak, based at Slough police station, added: “The Section 60 order was put in place to help deter any further incidents in the area.

“We will be carrying out further high-visibility patrols in the area to reassure residents and would appeal to anyone with information about these incidents to come forward.”

If you can help, please call Slough CID via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Last night (14 February 2012) Slough Borough Council’s cabinet took the decision to sell Langley Community Hall to East Berkshire College.

Langley Community Hall, off Langley Road, Slough and adjoining the East Berkshire College campus, was offered for sale to it’s neighbours following a review of all the assets the council holds and ahead of its planned closure in March.

Councillor Rob Anderson, leader of the Slough council, said: “Langley Community Hall is an ageing building and duplicates community provision in the area since the much newer Langley Pavilion is located just across the road.

“East Berkshire College is well established in the area and will be using the hall as part of their ongoing plans for a centre of excellence, while their desire to expand educational opportunities reaffirms their commitment to the town.

“This deal represents good value for local taxpayers and supports the ongoing development of education in Slough, which will benefit generations of local people.”

Slough Borough Council

Two teenagers have been jailed in connection with a knife-point robbery in Slough.

The Slough pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced at Reading Crown Court on 8 February.

A 17-year-old boy was given a two-and-a-half year jail term for his part in the robbery. He pleaded guilty to the offence during an earlier court hearing.

A 16-year-old girl was sentenced to twelve months in prison for her involvement in the offence. She pleaded not guilty to the robbery during an earlier hearing but was found guilty following a unanimous verdict on Thursday 12 January.

On 8 July last year, a 20-year-old woman was walking in Railway Terrace, Slough, having just got off a train, when she was robbed by the pair.

The victim, who is from Slough, was threatened with a knife, before having her handbag stolen.

The Slough pair were arrested shortly after the incident and released on police bail pending further inquiries. They were charged with robbery in August.

PC Jozef Hodgson, investigating officer, said: “The sentence handed to the pair reflects the seriousness of the offence committed. The victim was alone when she was threatened at knife point in the middle of the night. This was clearly a terrifying ordeal for her.

He added: “Robbery is a very serious offence and we will always endeavour to arrest those responsible and put them before the court. The strength of these sentences should act as a deterrent to others.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

A new project to help vulnerable people in Slough feel safer when out and about has been launched in Langley.

The Slough Safe Place Scheme, which has been successfully rolled out in other parts of the country, aims to help vulnerable people lead independent lives by providing reassurance that help will be available if needed.

The Slough scheme, which has been developed in consultation with local community groups, works by asking businesses who have signed up to the initiative to place a Safe Place sticker in their window. This sticker identifies the premises as a place where a vulnerable person can receive help to make a call to the police, a carer or support worker in their moment of crisis.

Participating businesses are not expected to have to make many calls, but to provide a temporary safe haven for vulnerable people until help and support arrives. By signing up to the scheme, businesses will be providing reassurance to both users of this service and their carers, enabling individuals to be independent within Slough.

Councillor James Walsh, commissioner for Slough health and wellbeing said: “This is a great new initiative for Slough as it will help vulnerable people feel safer whilst out and about in their local communities.

“The scheme enables vulnerable people the opportunity to be independent and lead full and active lives, safe in the knowledge that help is available if needed.”

Supt Richard Humphrey, local police commander for Slough, said: “This new scheme has my full support as it is an excellent example of how the police, council and local business can come together to protect and support vulnerable people in the borough.”

A vulnerable Slough person might be someone:

with learning or physical disabilities
with mental health problems
who is old, frail or ill
who cannot always look after or protect themselves

Businesses in Slough are being invited to sign up to the scheme. If you own a business and have three or more employees on the premises at any one time, and would like to take part or find out more about the initiative, please contact Slough Borough Council’s community safety team on 01753 875255.

At this stage the Safe Place scheme, which is a partnership between the council, Thames Valley Police and the voluntary sector, is being piloted in Langley, but if successful could be rolled out to Slough town centre.

Slough Borough Council