Slough

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

The incident happened between 6pm and 7pm yesterday (19/1) in Wellington Street, Slough close to the pedestrian subway.

The Slough victim, a 19-year-old man walked past a number of Asian men who were standing by some vehicles, when one of them made a comment to him.

He was then assaulted by a number of the men during which £70 and his mobile phone was stolen. The victim’s friend, a 22-year-old man, was also assaulted.

The victim suffered a fractured nose, swollen left eye and minor cuts and bruises. His friend suffered a bump to the head.

The Slough offenders are 17-20 years old.

Det Con Stefanie Day, who is investigating the incident, said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident which happened on a main road. I am also keen to trace a driver who stopped to check if the victim was ok.”

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Det Con Day, in Slough CID, via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council yesterday (17 January 2012) released a new management structure proposal.

The proposal has, today, been given to all Slough council staff within areas affected if the new structure is given the go ahead. The formal consultation on the proposals will begin on 20 January.

The new structure reduces the number of Slough directors from four to three and the number of senior managers from 17 to 12.

If agreed in its entirety, the proposal and reduction in posts will save the council £500,000 a year.

Staff directly affected have a month to respond to the consultation if they wish.

The proposal takes account of the voluntary redundancy of Slough Director of Education and Children’s Services, Clair Pyper. Under the proposals, teams who are currently part of the department would report to other directors.

After the consultation period is over, and the responses have been considered, a decision whether or not to proceed will be made by the chief executive, Ruth Bagley and leader of the council, Rob Anderson.

Ruth Bagley, Slough chief executive, said: “We are still facing major changes because of cuts in public sector funding and because government’s expectations of local government are changing.

“In particular in the education arena, government policies are causing many changes very quickly with schools rapidly become academies and local authority involvement becoming much less.

“The proposal is designed to reflect the changes taking place, to reduce costs and also maintain the capacity to face and adapt to future change.”

Councillor Rob Anderson, leader of the Slough council, said: “These latest management restructure proposals are part of our ongoing work to make Slough Borough Council more efficient and fleet of foot in the new world local government has to operate in.

“Since the coalition government first announced funding cuts to local authorities, the cabinet has said where possible savings should be taken from management tiers and back office, while protecting the front line, and this is the next stage of the ongoing work.

“There are huge changes taking place in the relationship between local authorities and education provision, and as a council we have to be prepared for this.

“The government has not given a clear indication about what the structure may look like in future, but this structure proposal supports changes which are in the pipeline already.”

Slough Borough Council

A convicted Slough criminal who hid thousands of pounds in nappies has had it legally confiscated.

Thames Valley Police found £7,620 in cash hidden in nappies at Answer Yaqoob’s house in Hatton Avenue, Slough, as part of an on-going inquiry that stemmed from him becoming involved in a minor parking matter and on-going neighbourhood dispute.

At around 12.15pm on 25 July 2010, 28-year-old Yaqoob got into a verbal altercation with a man over a minor parking issue and on-going problems in his Slough street. During the incident, Yaqoob verbally threatened the man, telling him he was going to shoot him in the legs.

Yaqoob went back into his house and returned with what was described as a small revolver. He then used this weapon to threaten another person, holding the gun to his head and demanding to see the first Slough victim. Yaqoob also threatened to blow up the first victim’s house. Yaqoob then left the scene but was arrested by police shortly afterwards.

As part of their investigation, officers searched Yaqoob’s Slough address where they found a firearm buried in the garden. They also came across a concealed cupboard behind the sofa, which contained a large quantity of cannabis made up into deal bags, together with cigarettes.

When officers discovered cash hidden in nappies, they seized it under the Proceeds of Crime Act. It was not counted at the time but placed in a tamperproof property bag which was then sealed and handed to Thames Valley Police Economic Crime Unit (ECU) who began an investigation into the derivation of the cash.

Last Thursday (12/1), a hearing took place at Reading Crown Court when Yaqoob, now aged 29, argued the cash was not concerned in criminal activity, producing witnesses and documents to show it was derived from legitimate sources.

Chris Yoxall, financial investigator from the ECU, said: “This was disputed by police, and His Honour Judge Ross ruled the money had not been legally obtained, granting the confiscation order.

“This case clearly shows our commitment to deprive criminals of their assets and to remove the profit from crime. This demonstrates the ability of the police to seize cash and put the matter before the courts, and in this instance the court clearly felt that there was sufficient evidence to confiscate the cash.”

Yaqoob is currently serving a prison sentence totalling ten years, after he was convicted last year.

He was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Monday 14 March 2011, receiving six years for being in possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and four years for being in possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply class B, namely cannabis. He also received six years, to run concurrently, for being in possession of a prohibited weapon.

At the time of sentencing, Det Con Gareth Warr issued the following statement: “I am really pleased with this sentence, which highlights the seriousness of being in possession of a firearm and threatening other people, even though no-one was injured in this instance. It also sends out a clear message that drug-dealing will not be tolerated in Slough.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

The owner of a food takeaway in the centre of Slough, found to be filthy and have poor food safety controls on several occasions, has been fined £4,533.15 after being prosecuted by Slough Borough Council.

Mrs Regina Alam of the Slough Kebabish takeaway on Park Street, Slough pleaded guilty to 11 food hygiene offences at Slough Magistrates Court yesterday (12 January 2012) including:

failing to keep the premises and equipment clean and in good repair
having untrained food handling staff
failing to ensure staff were wearing suitable and clean protective clothing
failing to have in place a system to control food safety hazards

Slough Officers found there was a significant risk of cross contamination from poor cooking practices and the premises so unclean that scrapings of dirt were taken from two refrigerators and the floor.

In addition, cooked chickens were being left out for more than 15 hours, rice dishes were being sold up to eight days old and there were no filters in the mechanical ventilation system.

Mrs Alam had also failed to comply with hygiene improvement notices served on her by Slough Borough Council’s environmental health officers despite being given advice and one-to-one coaching.

The offences were discovered during multiple visits by the council in November and December 2010 and February 2011.

Mrs Alam was fined £200 for each offence with a victim surcharge of £15. Slough Borough Council was also awarded costs of £2318.15.

Levine Whitham, Slough senior environmental health officer, said: “It is disappointing that despite our best efforts there was a prolonged and total disregard for food safety standards, we felt we had no option other than to prosecute.

“We do everything we can to ensure people’s health is not put at risk while buying and eating food in Slough and we hope Mrs Alam and other food business owners will learn from this.”

Councillor James Walsh, commissioner for health and wellbeing said “Food outlets have a responsibility to their customers to ensure food served is safe, and this was clearly not the case at these premises.

“There is no excuse for unclean practices in food preparation and I am pleased that a large fine has been levied in this case.

“Perhaps now other food proprietors in Slough will think twice about the importance of good hygiene and food safety to their business and the health of the town.”

Slough Borough Council

A 19-year-old man will appear before court next week charged in connection with a burglary in Slough.

Billy Hicks, of Common Road, Langley, Slough is charged with one count of burglary dwelling following an incident in Summerlea, Slough, on 30 December 2011.

During the incident, items of jewellery and a games console were stolen.

Hicks, who was arrested on Thursday 5 January and later charged, will appear before Reading Crown Court on 16 January.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Improvements to make the entrance to Slough railway station more pedestrian friendly are well underway with the next phase of the works starting week commencing 16 January.

This phase of the improvement works will involve closing Slough station forecourt to motorists, so that construction work to turn the forecourt into a brighter, spacious and more accessible area can start. This means that whilst access to the station car parks will be maintained at all times, the parking bays in front of the station will be permanently removed.

The closure of the Slough forecourt to motorists will be permanent as a new passenger drop off area has been created directly opposite the O2 building, and a new taxi rank is now available on the right side of the forecourt next to the east car park.

Residents picking up passengers should use the east, west or north car parks, whilst company shuttle buses ferrying staff to and from the station will be able to park outside the O2 building.

Once all the works are complete, in spring 2012, the forecourt will include a newly paved entrance to the station with trees and forecourt furniture providing a pedestrian friendly environment for all those coming in and out of Slough.

Councillor James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal said: “Works to improve public space within the Heart of Slough scheme, including the major access and forecourt transformation around the station, will help make a real difference to the way Slough first appears to visitors arriving by train.

“The new design of the station forecourt will make it a more accessible and pleasant space to use, whilst helping visitors link the station with the bus hub and visible direct routes to the town centre – making it easier for people to find their way around our town.

“Given that Slough railway station receives more than 5.5 million passengers a year, any improvements to help passengers get to and from Slough are welcomed.”

Major improvements to the inside of Slough station are also taking place and will include three new lifts and a new footbridge, new ticket office, new toilets, new customer information point, and new staff accommodation. The improvements to the inside of the station are scheduled to finish in time for the Olympic Games in early summer 2012.

Skanska is holding information days to assist members of the public with any queries about the roadworks. A Skanska representative will be available on the first floor of Slough Central Library from 10am to 2pm, every Wednesday until April, to talk about the Heart of Slough infrastructure improvements.

If you would like to comment on how the infrastructure project is being delivered, please email slough.queries@skanska.co.uk. If you have any questions concerning these works, please contact the 24-hour Skanska Customer Service Team on 0800 066 5006.

Slough Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information following a robbery at a bookmakers in Langley, Slough, last night (9/1).

At about 7.45pm, two white men went into the Coral bookmakers in High Street, Langley, Slough.

One of the men was carrying what appeared to be a firearm, which he used to threaten staff, who handed over a small quantity of cash.

The men made off on foot.

The offender carrying the gun is white, aged between 20 and 23 years old, 5ft 9ins, and of slim build. He was wearing a baseball cap and bandana. He was also carrying a blue carrier bag.

Det Insp Nicky Hurdley, of Force CID in Slough, said: “This was a horrible ordeal for the staff involved, but thankfully no one was injured.

“It is not known if the offenders escaped by getting into a car or whether they continued on foot.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the robbery, who saw these men, or who remembers any suspicious incident in the area before or following the robbery to come forward. I would also like to speak to anyone who knows the identity of these offenders to contact us as soon as possible.”

At this stage police are not linking this incident to a robbery at the Nationwide Building Society in Langley on Thursday 5 January.

If you can help, please call Thames Valley Police’s 24-hour Enquiry Centre on 101. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, please call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Upton Park, Slough will soon have new landscaping after the planting of new trees and grass, after remediation work starts this week.

Slough Borough Council’s contractors, Enterprise, will be planting the trees and sowing the grass seeds, with the scheme complete by March 2012.

A fence of approximately 3ft will be pitched to stop people walking on the area so the new plants and grass have a chance to establish.

The first phase of the remediation work will start by the western area by the main car park, then the bunds in the eastern end, and finally a small area by the main entrance.

Remediation was necessary as soil testing revealed high levels of lead present in the Slough soil in some areas. It was safer to grow grass and plant trees, rather than digging up the top soil and disposing of it.

The lead was likely a result of historic land filling of the park.

The affected areas will be planted with a mixture of dense plants and trees, such as Hawthorne, Blackthorn and Ash. It will enhance the park and also encourage more wildlife.

Planting will mean people will have much less contact with soil by not walking on it or playing football, so less likely to disturb it over time.

The Slough council received a grant of £396,000 from The Environment Agency to fund the works and necessary soil testing.

Monica Wilsch, head of environmental quality for Slough Borough Council, said: “The new scheme will help enhance an area which could not have been used and would have gone to waste.

“Whilst it poses no health risks to residents, we wanted to put in dense growing plants to make sure there was as little contact as possible. Having said that, it would take many years and continuous contact for the lead in the soil to start causing problems.

“By planting the trees, we are making sure we don’t have to dig up the soil causing dust and then having to try and find somewhere to dump it.”

Commissioner for Slough environment and open spaces, Cllr Satpal Parmar, added: “This is a fantastic idea for the much loved park. Many test were done and planting was the best idea all round for the park and residents.

“It should encourage even more wildlife and really enhance the area.”

Slough Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed in Slough on New Year’s Day (1/1).

At about 6am, a 20-year-old man was walking to work along the Slough High Street. As he was walking past Marks & Spencers and Debenhams, opposite Church Street and Starbucks, he was pushed over.

While he was on the ground, he was kicked by two men who demanded his mobile phone, which was grabbed from his hand. He called out for help and the men ran off, taking his black Apple iPhone.

The victim sustained cuts and bruises to his face.

One of the Slough offenders is white, slim, in his late teens, about 5ft 8ins, and was wearing a silver-coloured hooded top. There is no description available for the second man.

It is believed there were a number of people in the High Street at the time of the offence and police are appealing for them, or anyone who recognises the description of the offender, to come forward.

Anyone with any information should contact Slough Case Investigator Jill Martindale via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Is 2012 the year that you will make a difference to a child’s life? Slough Borough Council is actively encouraging people to think about how their lives could be enriched by sharing it with a child. Could you make a difference to a child?

The Slough council’s family placement team manager, Jackie Pape said: “We know that there’s no such thing as a typical child and there certainly isn’t a typical family. We want to find permanent homes with new families for the school aged children in our care – either brothers and sisters or children on their own. While these children may be very individual, they certainly share one thing in common – they all want people in their lives who will love and care for them. And we know that these children can bring so much enjoyment into their new families’ lives.

“We’re looking specifically for people who can make a permanent commitment to a child (or children) to help them feel loved, settled and secure. You don’t need to have a partner or be a particular age; what matters is that you are right for that child. Slough Borough Council does not discriminate against anyone; we want to find the very best people for the children in our care. You don’t even need to live in Slough. Some of our children will need to be placed outside the area, away from their birth families.”

There are two distinct ways to offer a Slough child a forever home; through adoption or special guardianship. While some children are available to be adopted, there can be good reasons for other children to retain a legal connection to their birth family. For these children, special guardianship retains a legal connection while giving the special guardians parental responsibility.

You don’t have to decide before you contact the family placement team; they will help you every step of the way. And the process is probably much quicker than people realise.

Could you help Slough children like Tom and Penny?

Tom and Penny are brother and sister. They have been in foster care for two years. Penny is making good progress at school with additional support. She loves her brother and is always hugging and kissing him. Tom gets a bit irritated by this but does look up to his big sister. Their foster carer describes them as two loving children and has found looking after them a very rewarding experience for her.

Their mum has mental health problems, as well as being a victim of domestic violence by their father. Tom and Penny’s mother cannot care for her children but still cares what happens to them.

As well as looking for forever families for children like Tom and Penny, Slough Borough Council is also recruiting foster carers who can offer children a home on a short-term basis while plans are made for them.

If you want to find out more, please call Slough’s friendly family placement team on 0800 073 0291 for an informal chat or email direct: familyplacement@slough.gov.uk

Slough Borough Council