End of Summer Update from Your Wincheap Beat Officer

Dear Resident

As we come to the end of summer, I wanted to provide a brief update for residents in the Wincheap ward.

The area has remained busy over the past few months, but I'm pleased to say that we have generally managed to keep a handle on incidents, and reports of anti-social behaviour have remained relatively low.

One area of concern that has started to increase again is the use of nuisance motorbikes. While reports had been relatively low for a period, we have recently seen a rise in incidents involving bikes being ridden in an anti-social manner. We would ask residents to continue reporting these issues and to provide any information that could help identify the bikes or riders involved.

There has been some positive news regarding bike thefts. Following targeted patrols and proactive work in areas affected by thefts, reports of stolen bicycles appear to have reduced. We will continue this work to help prevent offences and identify those responsible.

We have also seen very few reported burglary offences within the ward over the past few months, which is encouraging. However, as we move into autumn and the evenings begin to get darker earlier, we would encourage residents to take a few simple precautions to help keep their homes secure:

• Ensure doors and windows are locked, even when at home.
• Use exterior lighting where possible, particularly around entry points.
• Avoid leaving valuables on display.
• Consider using timers on lights if you are away from home during the evening.
• Report any suspicious activity or unknown persons acting unusually in residential areas.

PC Angell and I continue to focus on the three priorities identified by residents in our latest survey:

• Nuisance motorbikes
• Road traffic safety
• Drug dealing

We remain committed to tackling these issues through patrols, engagement with partner agencies and acting on information provided by the community.

With schools now returning after the summer break, I would also ask all road users to take extra care around schools and busy pedestrian routes. Please allow extra time for your journeys, observe speed limits, avoid parking dangerously, and remain vigilant for children crossing roads, particularly during the morning and afternoon school run. Parents and carers can also help by discussing road safety with their children and encouraging them to remain aware of their surroundings when travelling to and from school.

With the warmer weather beginning to ease, I'm looking forward to some much cooler foot patrol across the ward. These patrols provide a great opportunity to speak with residents, address concerns and maintain a visible policing presence in the community.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to report incidents, share information and engage with us throughout the summer. Your support helps us to keep Wincheap a safe place to live, work and visit.