Reading hold safety forums across the town
The meetings are for businesses and residents to highlight concerns
Residents and businesses are being invited to a series of meetings to discuss safety in their neighbourhoods.
The collaborative evening events provide a face-to-face platform for those who live in Reading to have their say on issues of safety, crime and anti-social behaviour in their local communities, giving opinions, asking questions and suggesting solutions to make the town safer for residents.
Officers from Thames Valley Police and Reading Borough Council, along with local Councillors, will attend all six events to discuss locals’ concerns with them and address crime and anti-social behaviour issues specific to their area.
Locals are encouraged to come along to the following events, all from 7pm to 8.30pm:
Thursday 2 October, North Reading Forum (for residents and businesses north of the Thames – Caversham, Caversham Heights, Emmer Green and Thames wards). Venue: Emmer Green Youth & Community Centre, Grove Road, RG4 8LN
Tuesday 7 October, South Reading (Whitley Wood) Forum (for Whitley residents). Venue: Whitley Wood Community Centre, Lexington Grove, RG2 8UG
Wednesday 8 October, Coley Forum (for Coley residents). Venue: Coley Park Community Centre, Wensley Road, RG1 6DW
Wednesday 8 October, South Reading (Hexham) Forum (for Redlands and Whitley residents). Venue: Hexham Road Community Centre, Bamburgh Close, RG2 7UD
Thursday 16 October, Town Centre Forum (for Town Centre, Abbey ward residents and businesses). Venue Committee room 4a, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU
Effective
Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“As with all urban areas Reading has its share of issues. The best way for us to take effective action to improve and resolve them is with positive communication and listening to input from the residents and businesses in our local communities.
“Alongside our police colleagues we are working really hard to make Reading a safer place so that everyone can live, work and enjoy our town with confidence. To get the best results, we need to listen to our residents and businesses who know best what is happening in their local communities and what they think is now needed to make positive improvements.
“I’m urging everyone to come along, give us their views and let us know what we can do to enhance safety in their area. The Safer Neighbourhood Forums are a great opportunity to have your say and help us create a better, safer Reading”.