Slough Police and their partners held a street meeting in Chalvey on Friday evening (26/6) to give local residents an opportunity to discuss their concerns.
Starting at 6pm, neighbourhood inspector Ken Paterson and Nahid Moghul of Slough Borough Council’s community safety team, together with members of the neighbourhood policing team, local councillors and community wardens, held a meeting in King Edward Street, which was attended by about 50 residents.
The main issues under discussion were prostitution in Chalvey, Slough and large groups of people congregating in the streets, particularly around the shopping precinct.
Insp Paterson said: “Some of those who congregate on the streets attended the meeting. There was an open and honest discussion, as a result of which the neighbourhood team will be encouraging these groups to gather in open park areas rather than congested local streets.”
After the street meeting, a small number of Slough residents and councillors accompanied the neighbourhood policing team on patrol that night (26/6). During the evening, two women were arrested and later charged with prostitution. They were bailed with conditions not to return to the area.
Insp Paterson added: “The meeting was very useful and we are pleased that residents were able to see at first hand what the police are doing to tackle their neighbourhood priorities.
“I am aware that some residents have continued to have a visible presence in the streets of Chalvey over the past few nights. Whilst we welcome their commitment to making their neighbourhood safer, we would advise members of the public to report any incidents to police rather than taking direct action.
“Prostitution and anti-social behaviour on the streets are amongst this year’s priorities, which are being addressed by police and their partners through the Chalvey Neighbourhood Action Group.”
Nahid Moghul of Slough Borough Council’s community safety team said: “We are committed to creating safer communities in Slough. By working with local residents in this way we can show the actions we and the police are taking to tackle the issues of most concern to each specific neighbourhood.”
Thames Valley Police ~ Slough
