Chalvey, Slough Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)
The Chalvey, Slough Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) held its third meeting on Wednesday 27 June in Brook House, Chalvey. The NAG has been set up to address concerns raised by people living and working in the Chalvey area of Slough.
The Slough group, which comprises residents, council officers and Thames Valley Police, is part of the roll-out of Neighbourhood Policing and will attempt to address the priorities raised by local residents, through a partnership approach.
Inspector Ken Paterson from Thames Valley Police said: “Although NAGs are a relatively new concept, the principle of community-based policing is not. It’s about getting back to basics and enabling the police and their partners to be more responsive to the needs of communities. We know that this partnership approach works in tackling the problems that matter to local people.”
Three main issues emerged from the intital consultation with Chalvey residents: fly-tipping, littering and anti-social behaviour. At the NAG meeting, the group identified a set of actions that will be taken to try to resolve these key concerns.
Will Tomkins, the Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer with Slough Borough Council, recognised that fly-tipping is a problem in the Chalvey area. He stressed the importance of residents reporting incidents to Slough Borough Council. “In order to resolve the issue of fly-tipping we need to work together, we need residents to report incidents to the Council. If we know when and where it’s happening and a description of the offenders then we will be better able to stop it. Fly-tipping is a serious offence: offenders can receive fines of up to £20,000 and/or six months' imprisonment.”
Insp Paterson added: “Our PCs and PCSOs will continue to patrol the areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour. In fact, within an hour of the NAG, PC Nick Bond arrested a man on suspicion of a drug-related offence at one of the locations identified by residents at the meeting. This shows how important it is for local people to help police by telling us where the problems are. We will also continue to use the designated alcohol-free zones to deal with youth disorder and other drink-related disturbances.”
The Slough Chalvey NAG is still keen to receive further information and participation from the public. You can report fly-tipping, litter and anti-social behaviour via the Together Action Line on 0845 605 2222.
Serious incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime should be reported to Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505. In an emergency, always dial 999.
The next meeting of the Chalvey NAG will be held on Wednesday 1 August at Brook House, starting at 7.30pm. For further information, please contact Nora Smith, Community Safety Project Officer, Slough Borough Council, on 01753 477 356 or Insp Ken Paterson, neighbourhood policing inspector for Slough South, on 0845 8 505 505.
Thames Valley Police ~ Slough